Ann Windrow Crabtree, longtime musical director of Crossville’s Cumberland County Playhouse and beloved musical mentor to generations of children has died after a brief illness.

“Miss Annie” as she was known in theatre circles and everywhere else, was the wife of Jim Crabtree, her beloved husband of 57 years. Together they helped shepherd the Playhouse for almost four decades, Jim acting as producing director and Annie in the orchestra pit conducting, playing piano and providing the vital heartbeat to hundreds of productions.

Annie was more than a talented performer and orchestrator. She was a friend and mentor to thousands of young actors, singers and later piano students whom she nicknamed her “Baby Birds.” Her impact was generational, as some of those students grew up and loved Annie so much, they brought their own children back to study piano with her.

That profound love of people and music was fashioned early. Born October 3,1947 to Ethelynn and Ernest Howard Windrow in Columbia, Tennessee, Annie graduated Valedictorian from Columbia Central High School in 1965 before going on to MTSU where she met Jim.

After their marriage in 1968, the couple moved to Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut where Jim obtained his Master of Fine Arts in Directing. Jim later taught at Connecticut College, and in recognition of Jim and Annie’s foundational work in developing a theatre program there, The Crabtree Award is still given today to a deserving senior.

Annie completed her BA in English at MTSU in 1971 and went on to receive an Associate Degree in Nursing from Roane State in 1986, working several years as an RN. Her nurturing spirit could also be felt at her church, the United Church of Christ in Pleasant Hill, where she played piano and taught Sunday school, and in her large vegetable and flower gardens, which were the pride of the neighborhood.

Annie is survived by “her Jim,” husband James Crabtree, son of Paul and Mary Crabtree of Crossville, and by her much beloved identical twin sister Nancy Windrow Vernon (Rowland) of Fort Smith, AR. Also mourning her loss are the extended Vernon and Crabtree families including in-laws, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and the many for whom Annie was indeed an adopted member of the family.

Perhaps Bryce McDonald, Producing Director of the Playhouse said it best: “The biggest cheerleader, momma, grandma, and supporter the Playhouse has ever known, Annie’s heart and joy touched every performer, musician, and child who walked through our doors, and her absence leaves a space that can never be filled.

As we prepare to open our 60th Season with The Wizard of Oz, we dedicate this production to Annie, who would have poured endless love into every cast member, production team member, and child with boundless enthusiasm. We know she’ll be shouting from Heaven “YAY BAND!” at the end of every show.

…Thank you, Annie, for your heart, soul, kindness, and unwavering love. You will be forever missed.”

After a private family burial at City Cemetery, a celebration of the wonderful life of Annie Crabtree will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 7pm at the Cumberland County Playhouse.