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Ann Marie Mills Menke was born at home in Hempstead, TX on August 17, 1942 to F.R. "Goober" Mills and Percy May Mills. The oldest of two girls, she spent her entire childhood in Hempstead and graduated as one of seventeen students from Hempstead High School in 1960.  She later attended and graduated from Baylor University in 1963 with a degree in English. She loved her time there and passed that love on to her grandson, Andrew, and nephew, Rob.

Ann met her future husband and the love of her life, Charlie Menke, at the Hempstead barber / beauty shop during high school. After dating in high school and college, they were married on June 14, 1964, and would enjoy 54 years of joyous marriage.

Ann lived life to the full with her warm, outgoing personality making everyone feel loved and accepted, including her children's friends. She loved investing in people, making them feel welcome, and entertaining in her home. Ann lit up the room when she walked in and never met a stranger. Everyone was drawn to her and loved her sense of fashion and style. Her excitement and enthusiasm for life was contagious.

Ann had a lifelong passion for studying the Bible and teaching others about her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a member of Bible Study Fellowship for 40 years and served as the Teaching Leader in the Katy Evening Women's class for 20 years. Countless women and multiple generations learned about the saving grace of Jesus Christ through her service in BSF.

Additionally, she taught the Bible to both children and adults at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church throughout her life and faithfully played the organ for many years. In addition to supporting her family and home, Ann was a longtime member of The Wednesday Study Club of Hempstead, Texas and the Bellville Evening Bible Study.

Ann was a faithful and devoted wife, a nurturing and supportive mother, a fun and full of life aunt, and a loving and caring "Nana" to her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling and could always be convinced to go on a spontaneous adventure regardless of the time or day. She and Charlie took numerous vacations with Kay & Tom Scholl throughout their marriage; they were best friends in addition to being sister and brother-in-law.

Ann was a teacher by nature which stemmed from her love of school.  Following in her family's footsteps, she taught fourth grade until starting her own family and continued teaching her children and grandchildren values she felt were important. Her ultimate goal was to teach them to have a personal relationship with Jesus, study His Word, and serve Him faithfully.

Ann was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be with Him in Heaven on January 16, 2026.  Preceded in death by her beloved husband and her parents, she leaves behind her children: Karen, Katherine (Kathy) and husband Aaron Holmes, Mills and wife Adrienne; grandchildren Jake and Andrew Holmes and Adalie, Connor, and Ethan Menke; sister, Kay Scholl, brother-in-law, Tom Scholl, nephews Rob and John Scholl and wife Lindsey, who all look forward to seeing her again in Heaven.

Visitation will be Friday, January 23, 2026 from 5-8pm at Canon Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11am at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church with The Reverend Robert Merrill officiating. Interment will follow at Hempstead Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, PO Box 961, Hempstead, TX 77445 or Bible Study Fellowship Global Headquarters PO Box 675241. Dallas, TX 75267-5241, Memorials and Honorarium - Bible Study Fellowship: bsfinternational.org