Sharon Joy Stebbins of Milton, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the age of 81, with her children by her side.

Sharon was born in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, on September 26, 1944, to The Reverend Harold and Mrs. Gladys Edwards.

Sharon’s family moved to western New York state in 1948 when her father was called to pastor a church in West Clarksville. From there they moved to Corning, New York, where Sharon grew up. She graduated from Northside High School in 1962, and married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Stebbins, on December 29th of that year. Also in 1962, Sharon proudly became a United States citizen.

As a Navy wife, Sharon traveled far from her small-town roots. She grew to love traveling and seeing the world. When Ron and Sharon finally settled down for retirement in Gulf Breeze, Florida, she was self-employed providing secretarial services and medical transcription. She was an active volunteer in the community and her church, and she sang with the Sweet Adelines and Gulf Coast Chorale for many years.

Sharon is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Rudy Mendiola; her son and daughter-in-law, David and Carolyn Stebbins; her grandchildren Michael, Samantha, Jessica, Dale, and Levi; her great-grandchildren Waylon and Cohen; and her sisters, Lois Fancher and Barta Brundage.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Olivet Baptist Church, 5240 Dogwood Dr., Milton, FL 32570. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse.