Dr. Anita Joy Stockton, 88, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 28, 2026. As a career educator, Anita helped guide the lives of countless students and other educators as a teacher, supervisor, teacher trainer, and administrator for the Baltimore County, Md. schools.

Upon her retirement, Anita taught for University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, where she enriched the lives of other seniors through her classes in stained glass and Broadway musicals and her painting pursuits, all of which reflected her love for the ocean, beach, birds, seashells, wildlife, travel, song and dance.

Her smile and joie de vivre were infectious. She was a lifelong Methodist woman, spiritually strong, filling many service roles through her early years of membership in the United Methodist Women in Norwich, Conn., to her many years of Bible study and, lastly, as a Stephen Minister for Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach.

Her legacy includes her daughters, Tracy Erickson (Texas), Amy Blackwell (Maryland) and Kim Stockton (Maryland); six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her longtime friend and caregiver, Dr. Toni Worsham. Anita was preceded in death by her former spouse, Bernard Stockton.

When we have love in our hearts, all become lovable and loved.

Services will be announced at a later date.

Visit Anita's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.