Ann R Beard-Cantrell

Annie Ruth (Ann) Hope Beard-Cantrell was a kind-hearted and loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. She was called home on August 9, 2024 at the age of 79 in her hometown of Ocala, Florida. 
Ann was born on September 22, 1944 in Ocala, Florida to Alga Hope, Sr. and Julia Mays Hope. She taught in the public school systems of Boston, Massachusetts; Ocala, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia for over 30 years. Ann graduated from Boston State College (now the University of Massachusetts/Boston) with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and a minor in Secondary Education in 1974. She received a Master of Arts degree in African-American History from Clark-Atlanta University in 1975 and continued her education at Georgia State University, the University of Georgia, and Emory University.  
While working in the Atlanta Public Schools, Ann received many awards and recognitions. She was renowned as a dedicated, creative, and challenging history teacher and a very and was an admired member of the Educational Leadership Teams. She was the founder and coordinator of the Wachovia Mentoring Program, designed to provide positive role models, mentorship, and to help mold young people into more productive citizens.  Ann also served as a mentor to several single parent families in the Atlanta area and as supervising teacher during the school year for student—teachers program. She was also a mentor to aspiring teachers from Georgia colleges, Jamaica, Canada, and other areas of the world. 
She was a beloved human being, friend, and confidante, that will be greatly and forever missed. Her impact and impressions on every life she touched will span lifetimes. She was the very epitome of a matriarch and her contributions to her family and society are immeasurable. Ann truly had a captivating spirit and a beautiful soul.
Ann was preceded in death by her first husband Robert James Beard, second husband Henry West Cantrell Jr., and son Robert James Beard Jr. She is survived by her children Chrisceith "Christy" Beard, Nicole Beard-Cantrell, Henry "Bam" Cantrell III, David Cantrell, Michael Cantrell (Lisa Cantrell), Steven Cantrell (Alicia); grandchildren Brittany M. Higgins (Anisha Higgins), Taylor Beard, Adam Lovell, Sean Lovell, Christian Cantrell, Derek Griffey (Cantrell), Coby Allen, Chris Allen; and her sisters and brothers Dr. Joyce Hope Scott, Barbara Hope, Zelma Hope, Alga Hope Jr., and Warren Hope. 

Annie Ruth Hope Beard-Cantrell's services will be located at Calvary Baptist Church: 2701 SE 73rd St, Ocala, FL 34480; to be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 2:00PM.

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