Ann Darling Williams, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, January 12th following two strokes over the holidays and a courageous cancer battle. Ann is the widow of the late Leonard Lee Williams, Jr.

Ann was raised in Rochester, MN, with her younger sister, Cynthia. Her father, John Darling, was a surgeon at the Mayo Clinic and his career moved them from Mason City, Iowa, Pikeville, KY, Alton, IL, Oak Park, IL, finally settling in Clearwater, Florida for her high school years. Her favorite thing during those years was attending Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park CO. Her enduring love for the camp, friends there, and for the mountains played a stabilizing role in her life. Her grandfather “Ding” Darling was an acclaimed political cartoonist and wildlife conservationist, and made sure she had this opportunity for camp and also covered her educational expenses. Her mom, Dorothy “Penny” was a stay at home mom who sewed, baked her own bread and gardened—a classic midwestern lifestyle, fireflies and all.

Ann graduated from Florida State University in 1967 with a BS in Nursing and was an active member of her Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Ann was married in 1968 and celebrated 52 years of marriage before her late husband passed away in February of 2020. Family and friends were always important to Ann. Trips to the Keys, playing tennis, tailgating at FSU football games and snow skiing adventures filled her time. Ann was a member and a past President of PEO, Chapter BA and treasured this sisterhood.

Ann was blessed with two children, Leonard Lee “Chip” Williams III and Laura Darling Whittington. Along with their spouses she loved as her own, Kristen Brinkmeyer Williams and Richard Allen Whittington, II. Ann was affectionately called “Annie” by her grandchildren and “Andrew” by her late husband. She is survived by four beautiful grandchildren, Meyer and Holden Williams, and Avery and Jack Isaac Whittington.

Ann was a longtime member of Grace Church of Tallahassee and most recently Wildwood Church. She was very grateful for the time spent her last few years at Westminster Oaks in her lovely home on Carefree Cove and the community she had there. She loved her family and friends and never knew a stranger. Known for her kind, playful spirit her friends would say: “When you saw Ann, you just knew your day was going to get better”. She had a unique way of noticing the tiny miracles in everyday life.

Ann is in the presence of the Lord, and we can rejoice in this even though we miss her terribly. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, http://www.dingdarlingsociety.org, or checks can be mailed to Attn: Birgie Miller, Executive Director, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, PO Box 61249, Ft. Myers, FL, 33906. (Ann Darling and Lee Williams, Jr., Family Education Fund.)

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, February 18th at 10:30 am at Wildwood Church, 100 Ox Bottom Road, Tallahassee, FL with a reception to follow.