Emily Stinson

STINSON, Dr. Emily

Dr. Emily Davis Stinson, age 93, of Atlanta, Georgia, transitioned to "Life Eternal" on January 10, 2026. Born April 9, 1932 as a "Grady Baby", she was raised in College Park, Georgia. She was the second-youngest and last surviving child of Willard and Ola Mae Davis and lived a life marked by scholarship, courage, service, and unwavering advocacy for children and families.

Dr. Stinson graduated from Spelman College with an A.B. degree in Psychology, with minors in Biology and English. She pursued advanced degrees in English and earned a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Atlanta University. She later completed an Educational Specialist degree at the University of Georgia, where she and Marva Hackney were the only Black students in the first program in the state created to train psychologists in schools. She completed internships in School Psychology and in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Emotional Disturbance and Behavior Disorders. Dr. Stinson earned her doctoral degree in Educational Administration with a concentration in Educational Psychology from Atlanta University. Her dissertation was titled: The School Psychologists' Morale, Perception of Administrators' Leadership Style, Role Expectation, and Self-Role Perception.

A true pioneer, Dr. Stinson became the first person to be certified in School Psychology in the state of Georgia in 1968. She was the first to integrate a counseling staff in the Atlanta Public Schools district and the first person hired as a state-certified School Psychologist in Atlanta Public Schools. Across her career, she served the Atlanta Public Schools system as a high school English teacher; a high school guidance counselor and school psychologist; a family counselor in the Parental Services program; and a district-level administrator, serving as Coordinator of Psychological Services and as Coordinator of School Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, and School Social Services. Outside of APS, she served as a graduate instructor in Atlanta University's Guidance and Counseling program, an English instructor at Morehouse College through the Upward Bound program, and a consultant with Frontiers Unlimited.

Dr. Stinson was a builder of systems and standards. Among the many resources she crafted to support schools and teams were the Crisis Management Handbook, School Psychology Regulations and Procedures (departmental guidelines), and the Handbook for Student Support Teams. Her work helped strengthen the structures that protect students, guide educators, and keep learning communities grounded in care.

Her influence extended beyond the day-to-day work of schools. Dr. Stinson was instrumental in shaping principles that guide special education practice and protections, emphasizing the importance of parent input and consent and advocating for clarity and fairness in eligibility and placement decisions. She testified before the Georgia House of Representatives regarding the labeling of students as Educable Mentally Retarded—now referred to as Mild Intellectual Disability—presenting empirical, case-based evidence showing that many students were being misidentified only within the school setting, and that a change in environment and expectations often revealed their true potential. She also had the opportunity to review, discuss, and debate the cultural impact of specific test items with the College Board and to help rewrite certain SAT items—an impact she humbly referred to as her "minor contribution," even as generations have benefited from her leadership.

Dr. Stinson believed that children must never be reduced to numbers. She insisted that the psychological professional—not the test kit—must be the instrument that makes a difference, and she urged practitioners to "test-the-limits" with culturally sensitive awareness. She warned that labels often hinder, halt, and harm, and she fought for psychological reports to reflect a living human being—a child—rather than an IQ score. Her life's work was rooted in dignity, fairness, and hope, especially for Black children whose futures could be shaped by what adults chose to see, say, and decide.

Dr. Stinson was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles S. Stinson, Jr. She is survived by her three sons: Charles III (late wife, Juaqueta), Michael (Patricia), and Scott (Michelle); her grandchildren: Charles IV (Lauren), John, Scott II, Amara (Jojo), and Khari; bonus granddaughter, Syntara Tyler; great-grandchildren: Keairra, Charles V, Caiden, Elon, and Caius; and a host of family and friends who cherished her wisdom, strength, and love.

The family will gather for a viewing at Alfonso Dawson Mortuary, 3000 MLK Jr. Blvd SW, Thursday, January 15, 4-6:00 PM. The Homegoing Celebration will be Friday, January 16 at Warren Memorial United Methodist Church, 181 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd SW. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations Spelman College in memory of Dr. Emily Davis Stinson, Class of '54.

Dr. Stinson always said, "Every cloud has a silver lining." She is our silver lining now, guiding us to beauty and brightness. Alfonso Dawson Mortuary INC.