Genoveva M. Muniz Martinez

Genoveva "Geneva" Muniz Martinez, 87, of Victoria, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 27, 2015. She was born February 28, 1928 in Harlingen, Texas, daughter of the late Andres Gutierrez Muniz and Juanita Pena. She was adopted and raised as a daughter by her paternal grandmother, the late Petra G. Muniz. In 1953, she married Manuel S. "Rocky" (Meme) Martinez. In 1957, the family moved and settled into Victoria. While raising and caring for their children, the family became involved within their community & Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Working together as partners, our parents owned Rocky Optical, one of the first of many Mexican American businesses in Victoria. They instilled in their children to work hard and persevere. To always be kind, respect and you would receive respect and treat all you encountered the way you would want to be treated. Geneva loved raising her family and cooking for them! During her retirement years, she enjoyed spending time with family. She remained involved in the community as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166. We will truly miss our mother, our friend.

She is survived by her children, Maria Cynthia "Cindy" Guillen and husband Robert, Baltazar "Butch" Martinez (Jeanette), Manuel Javier Martinez (Laura), Sandra Maria Verret and husband Greg and Marco Antonio Martinez (Matt Eaton); grandchildren, Marissa Canales, Erica Canales, Michael Martinez and wife Meredith, Laura (Thong Nguyen) Martinez, Kori Martinez, Jason Martinez, Parker Verret, Austin Verret, Malory Verret and Leticia Aguirre and husband Michael; great grandchildren, Peyton Quimby, Daniel Guillen, McKenzie Martinez, Isabella Martinez and Sean Martinez; half-brothers, Robert (Lupita) Muniz, Edelmiro (Alicia) Muniz, Edward (Daisy) Muniz and Richard (Dolores) Muniz; many cousins, nieces and nephews and her loving pets, Chata, Blanca and Sinny.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandmother; husband of 50 years, Manuel "Rocky" S. Martinez; sister, Maria Medrano; and half-brothers, Leonel, Leofredo and Andres Muniz; and Jose and Francisco Medrano.

The family will hold a visitation from 5:00 - 9:00 pm, Wednesday, December 30, 2015 with a 7:00 pm rosary to be recited and officiated by Deacon Fred Soto at Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, Texas.

A Funeral Mass will be held 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 31, 2015 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Victoria, Texas with Father Jasper Liggio officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Michael, Kori and Jason Martinez; Parker and Austin Verret and nephew, Ryan Medrano.

Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166 Girls State Fund, Affectionate Arms Adult Daycare Center or Hospice of South Texas.

Our family would like to extend our profound gratitude and a very special thank you to Chelsea Nowlin for the love and joy she gave to our mother.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com