Dates
Our beloved mother, Diana S. Martinez, 75, was called to her eternal home by our Heavenly Father on August 19, 2014; our father, Manuel, welcomed her.
Rosary will be at 7 pm, Friday, August 22, 2014 at Gutierrez Funeral Chapels North. Mass will be at 10 am, Saturday, August 23, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with burial in Mertzon Cemetery.
Diana was born on May 27, 1939 to Ben G. and Elisa Robles Samaripa. She met and married the love of her life; Manuel F. Martinez on November 1, 1960 in San Angelo. Diana worked and retired from Holiday Cleaners after many years. Retirement didn’t last long as anyone who knew our mom knew she could not sit still for a minute; thus starting her career teaching Head Start with the Community Action Council. After her retirement from teaching, she became a “Blue Coat” with the Area Agency on Aging and continued working at the Adult Enrichment Center until her health no longer allowed.
Diana was a woman of strong faith and was a Cursillista. She read her bible daily, prayed her rosary every morning and night, and listened to Mass on Sunday mornings when she was unable to attend. She never gave up; even though there were many times she felt she could not continue. She was a fighter in the true sense of the word. She lived life to its fullest, and she inspired us to the end, and always reminded us to trust in God.
Diana enjoyed dancing, reading, watching movies, spending time with her sisters-in-law and traveling to Longview for visits with our brother.
Diana was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Manuel F. Martinez, Sr., her father, Ben G. Samaripa, her mother and step-father, Elisa R. and C.M. Rios, her sister and brother-in-law, Ofelia and Francisco Lujan, her brother, Sam G. Samaripa, her mother and father-in-law, Vicente and Consuelo Martinez, and brother-in-law, Efren F. Martinez, Sr.
Diana is survived by her children, daughters, Teri Dominguez and husband Armando of Sonora, TX; Tracy Guevara and husband Ernie of San Angelo; sons, Manuel Martinez Jr. and wife Rachel of San Angelo; Martin Martinez and wife Lisa of Longview, TX; Matthew Martinez of San Angelo, and a granddaughter whom she helped raise, Elisa Martinez of San Angelo; her step-sisters, Mary Solis and husband Paul, Dora Garcia and husband David, Elvira Martinez and husband Nick all of San Angelo and Gloria Skaggs and husband Steve of Midland, TX; Sisters-in-law, Ramona Lara and husband Sam, Elodia Hinojosa, Mary Lou Martinez and brother-in-law, Adan Martinez and wife Toni; 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Our mom will be dearly missed and her life lessons on family, love and our God will forever guide us.