Omega Cantu-Ash

Dr. Omega Ernestine Cantu-Ash of Lubbock, TX passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026. Omega was born on April 19, 1948, in Lubbock, TX to Mike L Cantu and Jeannette Soto Cantu.

Omega graduated from Lubbock High School in 1967 and pursued a gospel music singing career that would take her into Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) across the country and find her as a regular on the PTL Club television show as Ernestine Cantu “The Gospel Songbird”. She released 4 albums during her career with one, “Anointed,” reaching gold status. She stepped away from professional singing to pursue her second passion, education. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University in 1988, a Master of Education degree from Texas Tech University in 2006, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Tech University in 2016. Omega taught for nearly 30 years with students from middle school to college age.

Omega was known for supporting her students' growth in every aspect of their lives, and she always fought to improve public education. Her advocacy extended far beyond education. Omega stood up for anyone she saw being denied the access, dignity, or treatment they deserved. She held a righteous anger toward injustice and carried the weight of it in everything she did.

She knew that real change required voicing opinions that challenged comfort in the status quo. She did not shy away from telling her truth, authentically and loudly, in a world that did not always want to hear it. She shared her love and knowledge without prejudice, and she made the world a better place.

There are so many words that describe her: powerhouse, advocate, wife, educator, daughter, sister, activist, and entertainer with a voice from heaven. But ultimately, she was simply and uniquely Omega. Her family, friends, and the many people she touched will miss her brilliant spark.

Omega is preceded in death by her parents Mike and Jeanette Cantu, her brother, Mike Cantu, Jr., and her sister Elizabeth Cantu Cardenas. She is survived by her wife, Donna Ash and her brother, Rev. Gilbert Cantu and his wife, Feve, along with many extended family and friends who were blessed to know her.

For those of us left behind, honor her by speaking out against injustice, help others when you see a need, and most of all be relentlessly you.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 12th at Guajardo Funeral Chapel located at 407 N University, Lubbock, Tx. Visitation begins at 9:30 AM and the memorial service will begin at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Omega’s memory to her favorite scholarship organization, Texas Tech Raiders Rojos. Donations can be made at raidersrojosalumni.org/donations