Socorro Martinez Telles was born in the beautiful mining town of Jerome, Arizona on January 16, 1926 of Jesus and Delores Martinez. She moved to Phoenix, Arizona at a young age and attended Monroe Elementary School in downtown Phoenix, where she completed her 8th grade education. At about the age of 21, she met the love of her life, Enrique Telles and tied the knot. They lived in their home on 17th Ave and Grant. Socorro spent some of her young married life traveling to various California towns following the harvesting where she learned to pick strawberries and onions. Socorro and Enrique had 5 children together…Henry, George, Patricia, Arthur and Martha. When she wasn’t traveling for the harvest, Socorro worked at the Bell Laundry Service in downtown Phoenix.
At the young age of 48, Socorro became a widow. She quickly adjusted to provide for herself. Many might remember she would walk around collecting aluminum cans to help supplement her financial means and maybe for the exercise of crushing cans too. Her favorite color was turquoise. She enjoyed enchiladas, and true to her culture the spicier the better. Socorro graciously treasured all gifts provided to her. She especially enjoyed the gift bags and tissue paper they came in. She was very meticulous with her belongings. Everything was always accounted for and counted again just for good measure.
Socorro is survived by her children Henry, George, Arthur and Martha, 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren.
