Darlene Ann Martinez

Darlene Ann Martinez was born to Grace and Brutus Scholten in Chicago, IL on November 11, 1952. She was raised in Chicago IL and married the love of her life and her high school sweetheart, Jesse Martinez. They were happily married for 46 years. During their early life together in the Air Force, they shared an adventurous military lifestyle. They lived in various places within the US and Japan, but considered Texas their home. During that time they raised two daughters and many animals which were considered part of the family. Darlene passed on her best traits and her warm smile to her girls.

Darlene had tremendous energy and dedication when it came to her responsibilities. Her work ethic was strong which was evident from the 14 years she worked at Amon Carter Museum and the 19 years she was at Walmart. She touched everyone she worked with and let a positive lasting impression on them.

Darlene had many talents and was moved by art in any form. She took cake decorating classes in japan so she could make special birthday cakes for her daughters. She surrounded and educated herself with Arts in her first job at Amon Carter Museum. She collected mementos from her travels and enjoyed putting photo albums together to share with others. She began painting later in life, a gift that was inherited from her maternal grandfather.

She enjoyed nature as an art form as well. She would photograph sunsets at her lake house where she would spend her weekends. Darlene nurtured and took pride in her yellow roses she grew in memory of her mother, Grace.

She was always a patient and gracious hostess making everyone feel welcomed in her home, she did this by having their favorite things readily available and cooking their favorite treats. One of her favorite things was spending time with all of her family when they would visit staying up late laughing, telling stories and playing games.

She enjoyed being a grandmother and being called “Gwama” by her grandsons J.J. and Jackson Schimke. She was there when they were born, sent care packages, and sang happy birthday to them on the phone to make her grandchildren feel loved and special. On extended visits with them they would go to the lake where she would teach them her love to fish and have cookies ready for them to enjoy.

Not waiting for retirement, her and Jesse spent relaxing weekends at their lake house, and enjoyed traveling with family on many adventures all over the US and Mexico.

Darlene is survived by her husband Jesse Martinez; daughter Jennifer Schimke ( Jon) of San Diego, California; daughter Anne Martinez of Arlington, Texas; two grandsons J.J. Schimke and Jackson Schimke; her sister Nancy Skirnick of Windsor Heights, Iowa; Her brother Robert Scholten (Cheryl) of Annville, Kentucky; Joe Martinez (Norma) of Arlington, Texas; Juanita Pena of Indiana; Annie Martinez of Indiana; Elvira Roleck of Indiana; and Rudy Martinez (Maria) of Chicago and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Arrangements under the direction of Moore Funeral Home, Bowen Road Chapel, Arlington, TX.