Anna Mae Cochran

Anna Mae (Yates) Cochran, 98, of Pickens, SC passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, at Upstate Community Hospice House in Landrum, SC. She will be remembered for her tireless caregiving, wide-ranging curiosity, and lifelong love of learning.

She was born March 27, 1928, in Carterville, MO, the first child of Cecil Herschel Yates and Edith Katheryn (Scott) Yates. She met her future husband, Bob Cochran, at Murphysboro High School in Murphysboro, IL where they both graduated in 1945. They were married for 81 years; and for over 60 years, they made their home in Pickens, SC.

Ann was a selfless provider. Her house was always open to the family where they were treated with gracious hospitality and many delicious, home-cooked meals. She eagerly fostered the interests of family members; often learning new things herself along the way. She was a charter member of Pickens County Meals on Wheels and delivered meals to the elderly and the homebound. She was an avid bridge player and regularly hosted bridge club at her home for over 50 years.

Ann was an early and avid reader and loved going to the Pickens County Library. Her reading interests varied extensively from fiction to subjects such as science, religion, and history. She enjoyed puzzles and word games, especially cryptograms. She had an uncanny ability to quickly solve the word puzzles on the game show Wheel of Fortune.

Ann was an adventurous cook and was always trying new recipes. She and her husband Bob traveled extensively throughout the United States and into Canada. She was an active birder, often using her field guides to identify interesting species. She never stopped learning and took classes throughout life on subjects such as painting, photography, computing, and ceramics. Her paintings were found throughout her artfully decorated home.

Ann was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens where she served on the Worship Committee and the Bereavement Committee, and was a member of United Methodist Women.

Survivors include her children Robert Cochran II of Atascadero, CA, Sue Harrington of Huntersville, NC, and Kathy (Ron) Grant of Simpsonville, SC; grandchildren Paul Harrington of Huntersville, NC, Jeff (Colleen) Grant of Pickens, SC, Jill Ashton of Huntersville, NC, John Grant (Alina Lotstein) of Mars Hill, NC, and Karen Gouveia of Granada Hills, CA; great-grandchildren Blake (Kristin) Harrington, David McCall, Cameron Harrington, Mark Ashton, Stuart Grant, and Sylvie Grant; great-great-grandchild Charlie Harrington; brothers Bill (Clarisse) Yates of Perth, Ontario, Canada and Dan (Linda) Yates of Corpus Christi, TX; and sister Jo Mott of Perth, Ontario, Canada.

Ann was predeceased by her husband Bob; her parents; her brother Herschel Yates; and her son's wife, Aurora 'Irene' Cochran.

A private service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Pickens, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you donate in memory of Ann Cochran to Pickens County Library at 124 N Catherine St, Pickens, SC 29671.