Juanita Nehr Martinez

Juanita Martinez, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grand-mother and devout Catholic, came into the embrace of the Heavenly Father on October 19, 2025. Her life was a reflection of her deep faith, kindness, and unwavering devotion to those she cherished.

Juanita was born in San Antonio, Texas, and was a graduate of Providence High School. She was a lifelong member of St. Philip of Jesus Catholic Church in San Antonio. Juanita found great joy and strength in her faith community and served her parish by serving on the Parish and Pastoral Councils. She participated actively in parish life, attending Mass faithfully and living each day with compassion, humility, and gratitude. She further expressed her faith through her service as a Eucharistic Minister, as well as through the Cursillo movement and daily prayer. Together with Sister Joan, she helped establish and operate the St. Philip of Jesus Health Clinic. She worked tirelessly at school festivals and fundraisers in an effort to keep the school open. She was recognized and awarded for her life’s work in support of both St. Philip of Jesus Church and School. She was a proud recipient of the Francis J. Furey Medal in 1975 for her exceptional service to the Catholic Church and the Community. Her faith guided her through all seasons of life and she had a steadfast devotion to the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of San Juan. Her faith was a source of inspiration to her family and friends to whom she continually extolled the love of Jesus, and constantly reminded that “God provides.”

Juanita was a bookkeeper in early life and could have embarked on a professional career but instead chose to be a full-time mother and homemaker, a role she embraced with excellence. Quite simply, she was a great, and the best, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Juanita highly valued education, and through her and her husband Raul’s dedication and sacrifice, ensured that their three sons were educated and graduated from St. Philip of Jesus Catholic School, and Central Catholic High School. She ensured her three sons received college degrees. She was a member of and served as officer of St. Philip of Jesus PTC and PTA. She was also a member of the Central Catholic Mother’s Club. Her commitment to education has resulted in sons and grandchildren that have earned bachelors, masters, doctorates and professional degrees.

Juanita was also proud of her membership in the Red Hats. She loved movies, family gatherings, telenovelas, the Spurs, Longhorns and Aggies. She deeply loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family was central to life and she insisted that her family stay together, even in her last word. She had a passion for animals, especially cats and dogs, including Raul’s dog Capulina. She donated to many animal causes and was a champion of animal care.

Juanita’s culinary talents were legendary. She made everything from scratch and took no shortcuts in preparing her meals. The result was the best spaghetti, menudo, cheese enchiladas, fideo, albodingas and Spanish rice coming out of her kitchen. Equally amazing were her holiday feasts which featured the tastiest Easter capirotada, Thanksgiving turkey dressing, tamales and Christmas bunuelos. Her gentle spirit, warm heart, and steadfast faith will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her memory and love will continue to live on in the numerous lives she touched.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Raul G. Martinez. She is survived by her three sons, Juan Carlos Martinez (Paola), Adalberto “Bert” Martinez (Rachel), and Jose Antonio “Tony” Martinez (Sandra) and grandchildren Stephanie Oyarzabal (Erik), Dr. Jonathan Martinez (Lupita), Bianca Salazar (Scott), Jaclyn Martinez, Julia Martinez-Shelton (Patrick), Dr. Juan Gerardo Martinez (Kendra), Gabriella Marie Del Valle (Alan) and Isabella Marie Martinez, nine great grandchildren, and numerous extended family members and friends.

A vigil service will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at St. Philip of Jesus Catholic Church, located at 142 E Lambert St, San Antonio, TX 78204. The funeral Mass will begin the following morning, Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM, after which Juanita will be laid to rest with her beloved Raul at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. There, they will be reunited in eternal peace.