Martha A. Rosales

On the feast of St. Martha, Martha was born on July 29, 1932, in Houston, TX. True to her namesake, Martha had the heart of a servant as she dedicated her life to helping others. She will be most remembered for her love of her family and extended family and friends, her faith, her witty sense of humor, infectious laugh, and tenacious spirit.

Martha was an extraordinary woman of unyielding faith and selfless generosity. Throughout her life, she was always finding ways to serve her family and the community. She worked at J.D. Hospital and Ben Taub Hospital from where she eventually retired after 34 years of service. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where she was involved in numerous church ministries. She served as a Eucharistic minister and usher at Sunday and daily mass for several decades. She was a fan-favorite and blue ribbon award winning ice cream booth chair for many years at the annual church festival. After she retired, she joyfully volunteered at the St. Joseph’s food pantry. She also served as the Vice President of the St. Joseph’s Hospital volunteer chapter, an organization of volunteers dedicated to ministering to the sick and administering the Eucharist to patients every Sunday.

Martha had an adventurous spirit and love for life. She enjoyed taking road trips with siblings to the casino, journeying to the valley to visit family friends, and going with comadres to the River Walk. Martha was a loyal Oilers and Texans fan and was known for being the most enthusiastic fan in the room. She loved spending time in her garden and listening to Tejano music, especially her favorite artist Little Joe. Martha was a wonderful cook and will be remembered for always having a seat ready at her kitchen table for anyone who walked in her door.

Martha was a devoted mother to her three beloved children. In addition, she was a sister, comadre, tía, grandmother, and dear friend to countless others on Edwards St. and beyond.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Irenio and Adela Aranda, and her brothers, Eddie and Frank Aranda. She will live on in the hearts of her siblings Adela (Daniel) Tijerina, Alfonso (Olga) Aranda, Dora Martinez, and Amelia Mendoza; children Maria Yolanda (Juventino) Aguirre, Robert Rosales, and Hector (Rita) Rosales; her grandchildren Andrew, Adrian, Melissa (Erica), Robert, Jessica (Daniel), Stephanie (Dimas), Amanda (David), Kimberly, Lauren, Katie (Sergio), Megan, and Justin; and her great-grandchildren Aiden, Tristan, Julian, Aiden, Asher, Evan, Audrey, Averie, Adrian, Kaiser, Logan, Iris, and Kalliope. She is incredibly loved, will be dearly missed by so many family and friends, and will remain a rose in the garden of our hearts.

A visitation for Martha will be held Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Crespo Navigation, 2516 Navigation Blvd., Houston, TX 77003. A rosary service will occur Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, 2516 Navigation Blvd., Houston, TX 77003. A funeral mass will occur Friday, August 26, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1505 Kane St., Houston, TX 77007. A committal service will occur Friday, August 26, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.

Serving as pallbearers are Adrian E. Aguirre, Andrew J. Aguirre, Sergio A. Gallardo, Tristan Nathaniel Garcia, Julian Alexander Garcia and Justin Hector Rosales.