Obituary of Ann Long Crosby Ford

Ann Long Crosby Ford passed away peacefully at her home on July 11, 2021.

Ann was born in Columbia, SC on February 22, 1936 to Evelyn “Boo” Franklin and Jacob Wilbur Long. She grew up in the Eau Claire community, attended Hyatt Park Elementary and graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1954. She attended the University of South Carolina and was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.

Her first job was with New York Life Insurance Company.  Ann’s faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was nurtured and grew at Aimwell Presbyterian Church in Ridgeway, SC where her grandfather, Rev B.H. Franklin, was a minister for many years. She was also a member of Eau Claire Presbyterian Church. Ann has been a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church and Circle Number 1. She treasured her church family and was thankful for their love and support during her long illness.

Ann married her high school sweetheart and together they had five children, Catherine Crosby Campbell (Steve), Susan Crosby Legrand (George),  Mary Evelyn Crosby, and Rev. John Stuart Crosby (Trina); and nieces, Carolyn Shealy and Elaine Lindler.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kirbi Poston, Jay Poston, Katy Legrand Hill (Stephen), Sam Legrand, Charlie, Henry and Max Crosby. Her first great grandchild, George Stephen Hill, will be born in November 2021.

She was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Mary “Tootsie” Long Shealy; her brother in law, George Shealy; nephew, Ken Shealy; and infant son, Michael Leon Crosby.

The family would like to thank her hospice “angels” Aretha, Cheryle and Sherry as well as the other caregivers and staff from MSA Hospice.

A service of celebration and salvation will be held on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia and will be officiated by Rev. David Lauten. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:30am at the church. A graveside service will be held immediately after at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be her six grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Reformed University Fellowship, University of Memphis, PO Box 890004, Charlotte, NC 28289-0004.