Teresa Martinez

It is with profound sadness that we share the death of our beloved Aunt Teresa. She is being remembered as a person of strong character, unwavering faith and determination, and faithful commitment to family, church and society. The words of St. Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7) are words that ring true of Tia Tere’s life. Teresa died peacefully at the age of 92, after some years of difficult health issues. She certainly gave testimony to the gift of surrendering herself to a God of love and mercy, to a God that she spoke to daily until her final hour. Teresa was accompanied in her transitional moments by her loving family.

Teresa was born to loving parents, Andres Martinez and Dolores Barajas, in Dallas on October 16, 1932. Shortly after birth, she was baptized at Santa Teresita Catholic Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Carmen (Grande), Maria del Carmen (Chica), Ramon, Eduvijes, Luciana, Enriqueta, Jesus y Manuel (twins), Domingo, Tranquilino, Reynaldo, Bernardo and Teresa the youngest of thirteen. Nephews and nieces who preceded her in death are: Raymond Martinez, Jr., Norma Martinez, Andres (Andy) Martinez, Mary Martinez Lopez, Raul Martinez, Yolanda Martinez, Michael Martinez, Maria Evangelina Lazo Armendarez, and Minerva Lazo Gomez.

Teresa is survived by her loving brother Reynaldo Martinez from Detroit, Michigan, and her devoted sister-in-law, Maria Martinez from Lewisville, TX. Surviving nephews and nieces are Dolores (Tony) Leal, Josefina Martinez Hernandez, Hector (Christina) Martinez, Nancy Martinez, Margaret Lazo Juarez, Beatrice Lazo (Louis) Perez, , Ciria Martinez Lazo (aka: Sister Carmen Therese Lazo, MCDP), Esperanza Lazo Brown, Tom Martinez Lazo (Mary), Steve (Evangelina) Martinez, Bernardo (Maria) Martinez, Sam (Pilar) Martinez, Martha Martinez-Davison and countless great, great-nephews and nieces.

As an artist, Teresa had an eye for beauty and the ecstatics. Always on hand were her scratch pads and canvases that captured those moments of inspiration directed by her inner spirit. Art was her soul therapy. Two noted artworks were given, one to the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence of San Antonio, and, secondly, to the Carmelite Seminary, now known as Mount Carmel Center in Dallas. Teresa worked at John Haynsworth Studio of Dallas, restoring and re-touching photographs. Committed to church and community, Teresa, together with her late sister, Carmen, devoted countless hours to Our Lady of San Juan Santa Teresita Catholic Church, offering their service at various levels. As an activist, she joined forces with a coalition to close down the lead smelter plant in West Dallas. This event gained the attention of network television journalist and author, Tom Brokaw, of NBC who interviewed her at her home. With a collaborative spirit, Teresa always recognized the many citizens of West Dallas who spoke and marched in support of providing a cleaner environment.

Teresa will be missed by her loving family and friends. Now she rejoices as she is reunited with her parents and siblings. Rest in peace Tia Tere; know that we love you and will hold you in our hearts and prayers. We will remember you as having fought the good fight and having finished the race as you kept the faith!

Her viewing will be held from 2:30pm - 6:00pm this Sunday October 5, 2025 with a 4:00pm Rosary at the Gonzalez Funeral Home chapel (3050 N. Stemmons Fwy). The Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 12pm on Monday October 6, 2025 at Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos- St. Theresa Catholic Church (2601 Singleton Blvd). Interment to follow at Calvary Hill Cemetery (3235 Lombardy Ln.)