Rose Ann Akeroyd

The most beautiful light went out with the passing of Rose Ann Akeroyd on October 9th, 2025. Rose Ann fought a courageous battle against Alzheimer's, but passed peacefully with her beloved husband Stephen by her side.

Rose Ann’s journey began as the eldest child of Ernest and Rose Mary (Villarreal) Garza. Born on July 6th in 1958, she quickly grew into what she would always be: a beautiful, selfless, loving person, always willing to help others and rescue any animal in her path. She was a perfect daughter, role-model sibling to her 2 adoring younger sisters, Suzanne and Daniella and brother Mark, and fun, supportive cousin and friend. Of course she thrived in school, both in academics and sports. After high school and into adulthood, she continued to play softball and volleyball and was a life-long Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs fan. Rose Ann was an exceptional worker as well and achieved a rewarding career in real estate and property management. Rose Ann loved her nieces and nephews so much that she, along with her first husband, Daniel Ortiz, took Leslie, Christopher, and Jennifer in and provided a loving home during their formative years.

Rose Ann’s second phase of life began when she started her career at Kelly Air Force Base, obtained her degree from Southwest Texas State, and met and married her cowboy, Stephen Akeroyd. They were true soulmates, both so generous, gentle and loving towards each other and became known amongst family, friends and each other as The Cowboy and The Rose.

The newlyweds ended up in Oklahoma (after the Kelly AFB closure) alongside Stephen's daughter, Ashleigh. Working at Tinker Air Force Base, Rose Ann quickly rose through the ranks with her natural ability to navigate and excel within her career. During her years at Tinker, she was a contracting officer for both the Air Force and then the DLA and became a team lead, then eventually a branch chief, winning several prestigious awards including AFMC FY07 Award Winner Outstanding Civilian in Contracting (GS12 and Above- Logistics). Stephen and Rose Ann were living their dream with acres, horses, and of course, any dog in need of a home within a 50 mile radius. Once again, her huge heart drove her and Steve to take in Ashleigh's children, Ashton, Cam, Jayden, and Baileigh. As babies in diapers they came one by one and Rose Ann became their mom, and will forever be irreplaceable as such. The pattern of selflessness and compassion is a common theme that shone brightly throughout Rose Ann’s entire life. The world lost a magnificent woman who was not only the epitome of virtue, but infinitely intelligent and talented. We lost our beautiful wife, daughter, mother, sister and aunt and we will miss her every day for the rest of ours.

Rose Ann was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jose and Rosa (Trevino) Villarreal, Zaragoza and Alicia (Ochoa) Garza, her father, Ernest Garza, and brother Mark Brown. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Akeroyd, children Ashton and Cam Fowler, Jayden and Baileigh Keys, mother Rose Mary Garza, her two sisters Suzanne Cuellar and Daniella Dominguez, stepmother Frances Garza-Alvarado as well as her beloved nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Porter Loring Mortuary - West, with a rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church will take place on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at 1710 Clower, San Antonio, TX 78201.