Bartola Valdez Martinez

Bartola Valdez Martinez, age 94, of Abilene, TX passed away Sunday, February 1, 2015. Mrs. Martinez was born August 24, 1920 in Darwin (Cannel Mining Town) near Laredo, Texas to Ysidoro and Gregoria Valdez Martinez. Her family of soon to be 3 brothers and 4 sisters, later moved to Ft. Worth in 1923 and then to Ranger, Texas in 1925. She was married on January 20, 1942 to the late Andres Lopez Martinez in Ranger and they celebrated a 62 year marriage living in Abilene.

Bartola lived a beautiful and warm life sharing her loving spirit for her husband, children, and all her grandkids. Her love for God and then family were the most important parts of life. Her last life changing events were the loss of the one love of her life in 2004 and her last remaining sister, Josefa that Christmas. However, she was strong and continued to play a guiding role in the lives of her family as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Bartola was always there for her family. Her last wish was for the family to always remain close even when it was her time to meet her wonderful creator, and be with her husband again, and all her loved ones that went before her. When you came to visit Bartola, her first concern was to cook you something to eat; it was her way to show her care and love for all. “It is only for a while that we will be apart; so bless the memories within your heart and when you must come my way, I will welcome you home again.”

She is preceded in death by her husband, Andres; a daughter, Gloria; brothers Cruz, Ernesto, Jesus; and sisters, Nieves, Margarita, Rosa, and Josefa. Survivors include her sons Fernando (Victoria), Enrique (Tila), Andres Jr.(Janie), Santiago (Naomi), Robert (Becky) all of Abilene, and John (Linda) of Tucson, AZ; daughters, Maria Flores of San Antonio, Susana (Abe) Santibanez, Dora Resendez both of Abilene; grandchildren Lydia Martinez, Fernando Jr. (Penney), Jeffery, Ricky Joseph Jr., Edna (Ruben), Christa Marie Melendrez, Jesse Flores, Joel Flores, Bartolita Ibon (Gavino) Trevino, Maria (Pablo) Terrazas, Teresa (Luis) Adames, Timothy, Toby Adrian (Jessica), Christian, Jimmy Jr.(Ramona), Jason, Isaiah (Amanda), Amy (David), Stephen Christopher, Stephanie Lauren, Joshua (Emily) Santibanez, Gloria Santibanez, Marcos, Reynaldo, and Adam Resendez; 33 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00p.m., on Friday, February 6, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, 837 Jeanette St. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St. Visitation will be Thursday, February 5, 2015 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at the funeral home and a Rosary will be said for her starting at 7:00p.m.

The Flores, Santibanez, Resendez, and Martinez families would like to thank the kind people of Hendrick Hospice and her caregiver, Emily (granddaughter); also thanks to all those who visited her during her life, and to the ladies that offered up prayers for her; Blanca, Isabelle, Maria, and Salleta.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in Bartola's memory to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601, Sacred Heart Parish, 837 Jeanette St., Abilene, TX 79602, and Meals on Wheels, PO Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com