Michelle Stinson

January 4, 1957 - April 12, 2020

Michelle Kathleen Stinson (63) passed away peacefully on April 12, 2020 at Sunrise Senior Living of Annapolis. She previously resided in Crofton, MD. Michelle was born in Denver, Colorado the daughter of the late Bobby Joe Stinson, Sr. and June K. Stinson. Home was where her father was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. She graduated from AFCENT International High School Brunssum, the Netherlands. She graduated from Auburn University where she was distinguished military graduate of her ROTC class. She was commissioned into the Regular Army in the Military Intelligence branch. She served on Active Duty from June 6, 1980 to June 30, 1996. She achieved the rank of Major. Her decorations included the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and two Army Meritorious Service Medals. Her most memorable experience was as the first woman from the U.S. military to be assigned to UN Protection Forces (UNPROFOR) during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. She was the principal staff officer for Civil-Military Operations (G5). Michelle completed her Master of Arts degree in Western European Studies from The Johns Hopkins University. Following her military service, she continued to work as a government contractor eventually transitioning to serving as a government civilian. Her last assignment was as a Strategy Management Officer for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Michelle was predeceased by her parents and nephew Jacob Stinson. She is survived by an aunt Billie Sue Neyman, her brother Bobby Joe Stinson, Jr., niece Amanda (Joe) Johnson, twin nieces Carlie and Cailey Stinson, great-nephew Walker Johnson and great-niece Savannah Johnson and many friends who loved her. She will be laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery at a date to be determined. Michelle was a member of the Association of Old Crows, Military Officers Association of America, the Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association Chapter 33 of Northern Virginia, and she was a charter member of the Women In Military Service for America (Women’s Memorial). In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in her memory will be appreciated by the Women’s Memorial Foundation (www.womensmemorial.org) PO Box 420560 Washington, DC 20042-0560. Due to COVID-19 and the limitations we're experiencing for funeral services, we ask that all attendees wait in their vehicles until notified they can safely enter our facility. Staff will be attending the parking lot to insure a smooth flow of traffic. Attendance at Michelle's Time of Shared Memories will be limited to only family members. We will be streaming the Time of Shared Memories on our website. Please tune in on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 3:00 pm.