Stone Gardens: Free spirit "Apple" Annie Van Marm's Eureka Spring grave is just as eclectic as she was

In the hills of the Ozarks, a worn headstone in Eureka Springs Cemetery marks the resting place of Annie Apple Van Marm, a young woman whose life ended too soon.

The cemetery, once known as the IOOF Cemetery, covers nearly 47 acres and holds graves dating back to the Victorian era. Annie’s grave stands out—not just for its design, but for the story behind it.

Annie was born in California in 1970. She grew up and became known as a “Rainbow Dancer” at Grateful Dead concerts.

Her colorful scarves and free-spirited dancing made her a familiar face among Deadheads, the band’s devoted fans.

On a Wednesday morning in the spring of 1990, Annie was killed in a car crash on U.S. Highway 71 in McDonald County, Missouri, just north of the Arkansas state line. She was 19 years old.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the driver, Vernon Daniels, 23, of Fayetteville, lost control of the car, which struck a bridge rail, crossed the median, and collided with a northbound tractor-trailer. Annie and three other passengers--Eric Washburn, 22, of Alexander, Arkansas, and Amy Hall, 24, of Austin, Texas--died instantly.

The crash was widely reported in Arkansas and Missouri newspapers and deeply affected the Fayetteville and Eureka Springs communities.

Even decades later, Annie’s grave draws visitors. Fans leave tie-dye scraps, flowers, and handwritten notes. For many, she represents the spirit of the era--joyful, creative, and rebellious.

Annie’s childhood was far from ordinary. Her father, Bernard Petar Van Marm, was an experimental artist in Chicago. Annie was homeschooled and spent her early years exploring art and music instead of attending traditional school.

By her teens, she had dropped her last name and went by “Annie Apple,” a name that reflected her interest in raw veganism and her rejection of convention.

She became deeply involved in the Grateful Dead scene, traveling across the country to attend shows. She wasn’t chasing fame--she was part of a community that saw concerts as places to connect, celebrate, and escape. Annie played guitar, dyed scarves with natural pigments, and shared simple vegan meals with fellow travelers.

Her dancing became her signature. She moved through crowds with grace, her scarves trailing behind her. Fans say she was a favorite of band members Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir.

She also made and traded tie-dye clothing, turning her art into a symbol of the movement.

The crash that took her life happened on a rainy night. urvivor accounts describe a fiery wreck near Jane, Missouri. The loss hit hard, especially in Eureka Springs, where Annie had settled.

Her funeral was attended by Garcia, Weir, Willie Nelson, and others from the music world.

They helped cover the costs and joined a procession through town.

Annie was buried in a cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Her headstone features a dancing figure surrounded by flowers. A quote carved into the stone reads, “Although people didn’t understand me, I still made it through by myself.” Locals say it reflects her independent spirit.

Today, Annie Apple Van Marm is remembered by a small but devoted group. She doesn’t have a Wikipedia page or a movie about her life, but among Deadheads and counterculture historians, she’s a symbol of a time when music, art, and freedom mattered deeply.

As the Grateful Dead’s legacy continues--through archived concerts and new bands inspired by their style--Annie’s story lives on.

Her grave isn’t just a marker; it’s a reminder of a young woman who danced through life and left a lasting impression.