Ann Rankin Elmore

Ann Rankin Elmore, also known as “The Queen of Asheville,” by family and friends passed away at the young age of 94 on August 19th, 2023 with her family by her side. Ann was born in Winston Salem, NC on November 7, 1928, to the late Elizabeth Hendron Long and Charles Wesley Long. She graduated from Reynolds High School and then from Randolph Macon College with a major in Latin. She was an avid sports enthusiast her whole life as well as a stellar athlete, playing tennis and golf up into her 80s. Playing tennis is how she met her first husband, George Mason Rankin, who she married in 1950. They ended up moving to Asheville in 1951, which became home to her and is where she raised her three children. Unfortunately, George Mason Rankin passed away unexpectedly at a young age of a heart attack. This devastated her, but in 1980, years after her first husband's passing, she found her second love and married Bruce A. Elmore Sr., and gained two more children. If you ever met Ann, you knew she was a huge Carolina Tarheel Fan. She seldom missed any basketball or football games and attended many live games, with her last one being UNC vs Duke in basketball at age 88. She also loved plants and had a green thumb. In addition to her green thumb and being a huge Tarheels fan, she loved birds and dogs. She was known for feeding not only all the birds in the neighborhood, but the squirrels loved her too. She was a member of the Country Club of Asheville, the Junior League, and Central United Methodist Church. She is preceded in death by her husbands - George Mason Rankin and Bruce A. Elmore, Sr. - along with her daughter, Stacy Eichorst, and sons-in-law, Jimmy Eichorst and Howard Crofts. Ann was blessed with a full life and will be missed greatly by her family and her dog, Tiana. She is survived by her children, Ruth Cosgrove (Dick), Ann Sprinkle, Bruce A. Elmore, Jr. (Anne), and Anne Crofts (Howard); and her grandchildren, Zach Cosgrove (Kristen), Ali Cosgrove (Nick), Hunter Cosgrove, Mason Sprinkle, Christina Warren (Jason), Rawley Eichorst, Scott Elmore and Becky Elmore (Matt). She also has 8 great-grandchildren. The family would like to give special thanks to Cindy Waddell, Alicia Murray, and Heather Holmes who took extraordinary care of Ann for many years. A private graveside funeral will be held at Lewis Memorial Park. She was loved by many and will be remembered for her sassy attitude, wittiness, stubbornness, and her Southern Belle charm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to Asheville Humane Society, 4 Forever Friend Ln, Asheville, NC 28806.

Tributes

Ann Rankin Elmore

November 8, 1928 - August 19, 2023