Maria Antoinette Spates (Franke)'s Obituary
Maria Antoinette Spates (Franke), 71, of Waterloo, Iowa died October 13, 2024 of natural causes. Maria was born April 2, 1953 in Waterloo, daughter to Jethro and Martha Louise Spates.
She attended East High School and later received her GED. Maria went on, earning her cosmetology license and continuing her college work at Hawkeye Community College and UNI, studying early childhood education. Maria held several positions in the Waterloo area.
She is survived by three daughters, the three musketeers, Mary P. Spates and Jimmi R. O’Neal of Waterloo and Marcella L. Spates of Fairburn, Georgia; sister, Lenora J. Spates of Waterloo; brother, Earnest H. Spates of Phoenix, Arizona; ten grandchildren, Danielle Wilson, Briana Jones, Paris Williams, Aaliyah Pearson, Amina Muhammed, Bayyinah Muhammed, Umar Muhammed, Ashanti Sallis, Justice Muhammed, and Daniel Muhammed; 11 great-grandchildren; Aunt Barbara Jean Spencer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout.
Maria was preceded in death by her parents; son, Alonzo O’Neal; sisters, Diane Williams and Eleanor Spates; and nephew, David Bryson.
The Sanders Service
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