Carmen Martinez Islas

Carmen “La Suga” M. Islas, 95, passed away August 14, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. She was born April 3, 1930 in Dallas, Texas to Gregorio Martinez and Ignacia Aldana Martinez. Carmen was raised in West Dallas and attended St. Ann’s through 8th grade.

She married Felix L. Islas on April 8, 1961. Carmen worked for the Dallas Independent School District at St. Mary of Carmel and Pinkston High School.

In her spare time, Carmen enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, completing puzzles, working on the daily crossword puzzle from the newspaper, watching some of her favorite television shows such as Wheel of Fortune, Golden Girls, I Love Lucy, Walker, Texas Ranger, and the Dallas Cowboys games, but most of all, feeding her family and friends brought her a great deal of joy.

Her family and friends will always remember her as a caretaker, the life of the party, a jokester, the best grandma ever, and the rock and foundation of her family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Felix L. Islas; first husband, Refugio Trevino; son, Joe “Pepe” Islas; grandchildren, Steven M. Trevino, Paulina Mabel, Richard and Rafael Garcia, Aizen L. Jimenez, Raymond Islas, Jr., AJ; daughter-in-law, Sylvia V. Islas; parents, Gregorio Martinez, Ignacia Aldana Martinez; twin sister, Sr. Therese Mary Martinez; seven sisters and eight brothers.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Trevino, Paula Islas; sons, Ramon Trevino (Leticia Ceja), Felix L. Islas, Jr., Jesus Islas; sisters-in-law, Maria Del Carmen Martinez, Edith S. Martinez, Mary Marguerite Martinez; seventeen grandchildren; forty great grandchildren; fourteen great-great grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation for Carmen will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 3050 N Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75247. A rosary will be recited Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, 3050 N Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75247. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes, 5605 Bernal Drive, Dallas, Texas 75212. Interment will follow at Calvary Hill Cemetery, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, Texas 75220.