Ina Chiquita Stewart Vanderbrink passed away in the loving arms of her daughter, with family members by her side, on Saturday afternoon, December 26, 2020.
Chiquita was born in Quincy, FL on the 12th of July 1954 to John William and Lillian Deason Stewart. She lived most of her life in Bristol but also lived in Crawfordville for several years and, for the past decade, made her home in Blountstown.
Chiquita was the May Day queen at Bristol Elementary School in 1966. She was a member of the Liberty County High School Class of 1972 where she had been a cheerleader for the Junior Varsity and also played clarinet in the LCHS marching Band. She later attended Tallahassee Community College.
Chiquita worked for the State of Florida in Tallahassee for several years and also for private employers. She enjoyed trips to Mexico Beach, gardening, reading, watching classic movies and spending time with her grandchildren. Chiquita was very kind-hearted and had a special fondness for animals, especially those that had been abused or abandoned.
Survivors include a daughter, Tamisan Chay Beam; a son, Clifton Coleman (Tiffany); five grandchildren: Linsey Beam, Josephine "Josie" Beam, Kendall Coleman, and twins Cyrus and Samantha Coleman, all of Tallahassee; two brothers: Durwood "Woody" Stewart and Burke Dasher (Kathy), all of Bristol; sister-in-law Kathy Stewart, Blountstown; Stepfather, Coy Dasher, Bristol; aunts: Vivian Goodman, Blountstown, Natina Sullivan (William), Thomasville, GA, Mary Messer, Orange Beach, AL, Betty Hegarty, Sebring, FL and Martha Burke, Bonita Springs, FL; a nephew, nieces and cousins; and a special man in her life, Douglas Coleman, Tallahassee.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother and by an older brother, Terry Stewart. A private ceremony to honor Chiquita will be held at a later date. Her ashes will then be spread in places she loved.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Alaqua Animal Refuge, 914 Whitfield Rd, Freeport, FL 32439.
