Juanita Martinez

Juanita H. Martinez was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at the blessed age of 89. She was born November 5, 1932, in Luling, Texas to Santiago and Feliciana (Garcia) Hernandez.

Juanita Hernandez Martinez was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and aunt of over 60 years. She was born and raised in Lulling, Texas to loving parents, Santiago Hernandez and Feliciana Garcia. As a young girl, she worked very hard along side her parents and siblings as migrant farm workers. Despite her very limited opportunity for formal education, Juanita was aware of the importance of education, and she emphasized and encouraged her children and grandchildren to focus on their education.

Her joys included gardening, cooking, home décor using her favorite decorations that included flowers and angels.  Her favorite holiday was Christmas and when you visited her home you could experience first hand the love and attention she gave to making Christmas extra special. The beautiful Christmas decorations, many handmade, along with her wonderful homemade tamales and menudo warmed our spirits.

She did not believe in idle time and kept busy making sure her home was immaculate and the yard neatly landscaped. She enjoyed listening to classical music and cumbias on the radio and preparing the most delicious meals for her family that reflected our Mexican-American culture. Juanita was passionate about maintaining strong family ties despite distances and careers.  She had good friends in the neighborhood and maintained close ties with them by visiting frequently and taking them food when they were sick.  Her other passion was caring for children.  She provided the most meticulous care of the infants as a volunteer at Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio.  Without a doubt she did an amazing job with the multitude of children she cared for in her home childcare business for over 40 years.  Besides caring for other people’s children, she took care of her own grandchildren whom she loved unconditionally and spoiled!

Juanita’s gifts included her joyful humor, eye for art, resourcefulness, faith, and courage during difficult times. Juanita’s physical presence, smile, laugh, gentle hands, and positive disposition will be greatly missed by her family. The precious memories we hold and values she has given us will remain strong within us.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Santiago Hernandez and Feliciana Garcia Hernandez; sisters, Elena De Luna, and Dominga Zapata and her brother, Jimmy Hernandez.

Left to cherish her memories is her loving husband of 57 years of marriage, Jesus Martinez; children, Rafael Martinez and wife Melissa Talamantes, Sylvia Henderson, and spouse Rusty Valadez and, Jesus Martinez Jr. and wife Lidia; her sister, Antonia Rodriguez; grandchildren, Jesse, Ruben, Monica, Sonia, Joe Anthony, Bianca, William Lewis (BJ), Daniela, Alejandro, Joshua, and Breana. Her great-grandchildren include: Armando, Myla, Evelyn, Emily,Jazlyn, Jada and two great, great grandchildren, Josiah and Avianna.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Palmer Mortuary.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 409 W. Krezdorn, St., Seguin, TX. Interment will follow at Guadalupe Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, (contributions in her memory) can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, San Antonio & South Texas Chapter, in the name of Mrs. Juanita Martinez. See website www.alz.org or contact 210-822-6449 for donation information.