Barbara Jean Cantú, 70, of Denton passed away on May 2, 2023, in Pilot Point, TX. She was born on April 18, 1953, in Orange, TX to Robert Alfred and June Rose (Stanton) Ackermann.

Barbara will be remembered for so many things.  She was an extraordinary educator, the kind of teacher that every child deserves. She brought her own special magic to her classroom, teaching her students not only the curriculum but also to care for one another. She was a gifted gardener and applied her green thumb generously to help nurse other people's sick plants back to health and even to create a school garden. She loved camping and having adventures and dancing to Brave Combo. Barbara was a loving mother and grandmother. She loved the water and taught all of her kids and many of her grandchildren how to swim. Barbara was committed to a life of faith and devoted to her Catholic Church and community. She often volunteered for local ACTS retreats.

She is survived by her husband, John Cantú of Denton, daughters, Sarah Tavis of Olympia, WA., Kathleen Reichel, and her husband, Keith of Valley View, Tx., and Marianna Cantú of Albuquerque, N.M., sons, Isaac Lewis and wife Aurora Arellano of Denton, Andrew Lewis and wife, Julia Richason of Denton, sisters, Susan Strickland, Katherine Baker, brother, Rob Ackermann, and thirteen grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Librada Rose Cantú, and her mother and father.

The family will receive friends on Monday, May 8, 2023, from 5-7 PM at DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton, Tx., a Rosary will be said at 6 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton, Tx., on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 starting at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, Texas.