Ann Spates

Our family is saddened by the passing of Ann Guentzel Spates of Georgetown, Texas, on July 10, 2026, but are thankful she is now free of pain and suffering arising originally from a total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or total knee replacement, seven years earlier that resulted in a series of increasingly severe complications until she finally made her journey from this earth to her heavenly home. Ann was always a loving and kind daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to anyone so blessed to know her. Ann was also a lifelong devoted Christian who committed her life to the teachings of Jesus Christ through faith, love, and service.

Beverly Ann Guentzel Spates was born in Austin, Texas, on May 12, 1940, to Bessie Marguerite Jackson Guentzel (Born 15 Feb. 1909) and Melvin Ace Guentzel (Born 8 Feb. 1910). She is survived by her Daughter: Cassandra Ann Herrera; Brother: Melvin Neal Guentzel; Sister: Carolyn Bess (“Susie”) Wallace; Step-children: Jason Spates and his wife Brandi, and Carrie Spates; Grandchildren: Samara K. Riley and husband Elijah Riley, and Sarah Cantu, Vivian Spates, Maddi Spates and Kalie Theodosiou; Great-grandchildren: Elijah, Jr., Amira, and Samir Riley; Nephews: Neal Andrew Guentzel, Eddy Wallace and wife Meloney; Nieces: Deborah Wallace-Dykowski and husband Mike, Sandra Wallace Brougher. Amy Clegg and Husband Eric; Great & Great(x2) Nephews: Daniel Denton, Eric and Layne Brougher; Paul, Luke and Timothy Clegg; Great & Great(x2) Nieces: Martha Clegg, Amy Brougher, Molly Denton, Kaylynn Wallace, Addison and Olivia Brougher, and Luke Denton.

Ann is preceded in death by her husband Ron Spates (October 3, 1936 - April 24, 2021), her Brother-in-law Lucien J. Wallace (October 15, 1939 - October 11, 2020), and her Nephew Gary Robert Guentzel (March 22, 1980-April 27, 2026).

Ann’s Service will be at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752, at 11:00 am Saturday, July 18, 2026, followed by a reception with snacks and beverages. The burial will be in Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78731. The service will be conducted by Chaplain Derrick Barnes.

History of Ann’s Life

As a child, Ann grew up in the poorest part of Austin on the East Side, where she attended Metz Elementary School, then Allan Junior High School. The family later moved (in 1954) to the north side of Austin in the Crestview Subdivision. She graduated from McCallum High School, where she was a member of the McCallum Blue Brigade drill team supporting the football teams at their games, pep rallies, and dance competitions. After completing High School, she took some classes at the University of Texas at Austin. She then became a longtime employee of the Administrative Offices of the Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin, where she ended her career as the Human Resources manager before retiring.

In 1960, Ann and her first husband, Roger, welcomed their daughter, Cassandra, into the world. She was an avid animal lover and enjoyed raising and riding horses and participating in horse shows. She later met her second husband, Ron, in 1989 through mutual friends Bert and Lynda Hall. Ann and Ron, having been together for 9 years, married in 2000 in Channelview, Texas, then grew tired of hurricanes and moved back to Georgetown in 2008, where they joined Wellspring United Methodist Church and were active in outreach programs.

Ann always loved traveling with Ron and taking her granddaughters places around Texas. She loved spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ann was highly supportive of Ron’s mission trips, where he helped build water wells and schools in places such as Haiti, Belize, and Mexico. Ann and Ron were a fun and highly active couple who enjoyed all kinds of activities and getting together with friends and family.

Ann's pallbearers will be Elijah Riley, Sr., Elijah Riley, Jr., Eddy Wallace, Eric Brougher, Daniel Denton, and Andrew Slimp, with Melvin N. Guentzel, Neal Guentzel, and Samir Riley serving as honorary pallbearers.

Ann’s final resting place will be Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin.