Anna Pinellas

Anna Magnolia Davis Hart Pinellas, beloved single offspring of the late Rev. Alfred and Anna Thomas Davis, was born on February 3, 1937 in Washington, DC. She was lovingly referred to by many names: ("Nolia", "Anna P.", "Auntie", "Momma Anna", "Grandma Anna", and "Maggie"). The Holmes family with seven children next door became her sisters and brothers as well as her cousins. She attended D.C. Public Schools, and graduated from Dunbar High School, in 1954, beginning studies at American University, participating in the Drama Club. Anna was baptized at an early age, attended her father's church singing solos sitting on his lap at age five. She joined Mt. Airy Baptist Church on L St. near North Capitol. As a soloist, she sang concerts at various church affairs. She and her mother were active members of Washington, D. C.'s Naomi Chapter No. 9, Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliated. Past Matron Anna's competence and dedication awarded her the position of Grand Lecturer.

Her excellent clerical, study skills, and high test grades earned her positions up to GS-14. Anna's superior had told her she would never make it out of the GS-4 Secretarial Pool. Anna did not deter. That type of determination lasted her a lifetime. She worked for Peace Corps, advising and preparing young people. Anna worked for Maryland's Governor Marvin Mandel's Washington, DC Office. During election years she trained and worked as a voter registrar and helped various political campaigns. Working in nearby Maryland's Prince Georges County Dept. of Housing increased her capacity for handling large budgets.

Anna met Louis Pinellas, Sr. who was visiting a Maryland friend formerly from Kissimmee, Florida. They married on March 21st, 1981 and moved to his hometown of Kissimmee. Mrs. Anna M. Pinellas soon gained employment in Housing and Community Block Grants Dept. She was very instrumental in gaining the third Monday of January as with the Federal observation for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a local holiday despite opposition. Her founding of the non-profit MLK, JR. Commemoration Committee which later became Osceola Visionaries, Inc., set goals to proclaim the accomplishments of local African-American residents and awarding scholarships to focused high school graduates. The City of Kissimmee issued a Proclamation on February 7th declaring February 3rd as Anna Pinellas Day. The Osceola County Board of Commissioners, in observing Black History Month, displayed a short video of Anna's accomplishments in housing and restoration for residents and commercial buildings. On February 17th, Anna's Bio was read into the Congressional Record by FL US Representative Darren Soto.

Anna's faith in God was strong. Her current membership was with St. Luke MBC. In 2002 Anna retired as Director of the Osceola County Housing and Grants Office, but served on several boards and also as President of the NAACP Osceola Branch 5121. Sadly Louis, Sr. suffered a stroke and passed in 2006. As time progressed Anna's mental state declined more. She passed in the early morning hours of January 17th at home.

Those left to mourn are several close cousins, Maria White-Young and Penny White-Jacks, who visited from MD and DC; Bernice Pitts(Herbert and son, Brian); Paul Sykes, Floretta Caudle; Otis White, Jr., Ron White(Zhanna), and Harold Shepherd. The supportive and caring children of Anna's late husband, Louis, Sr. in Kissimmee were Paula Pinellas King and son Tito Paul(Tamara); Wendell Pinellas, Louis C. Pinellas, Jr.(Annie), Dwight Pinellas, Stanley Pinellas, and Octavious Pinellas. Granddaughters Dorthea Hardee and Dr. Telva Miller, and her husband Mark Miller, were devoted daily caregivers at Anna's home and when in the hospitals and rehab centers; two Godsons-Bill Ellison, Robert "Bebop" Tyler; Two 60+year Sister-Friendships-Rev. Dr. Arlene H. Churn and Dr. Ann Y. Tyler; and a host of more relatives, friends and colleagues.