Obituary for Maria Alejandra Martinez
Maria Alejandra Martinez, a beacon of kindness, generosity, and unwavering faith, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2025, at Harmon County Memorial Hospital in Hollis, Oklahoma. She was 71 years old. A devoted follower of Christ, a loving mother, a doting grandmother, and a culinary artist whose talents brought joy to countless lives, Maria's legacy is one of love, service, and community.
Born on March 15, 1953, in Pleasanton, Texas, to Emma Rosales Garza Irle, Maria was raised by her beloved grandparents, Gregorio and Clara Rosales, in the Pleasanton and Hollis areas. From an early age, Maria learned the value of hard work and the art of cooking from her grandmother, Clara. Together, they prepared meals for farmers and family alike, infusing every dish with perfection and love. These early lessons shaped Maria's life, as she grew to become an extraordinary cook and a pillar of her community.
On November 8, 1968, Maria married the love of her life, Ruben Martinez Sr., in Hollis, Oklahoma. Their union of over fifty years was a testament to their deep love and commitment to one another. Together, they built a beautiful life in Hollis, where they raised their family and became cherished members of the community.
Maria's passion for cooking led her to a remarkable career in the restaurant industry. She began as a cook at the Hollis Inn, later managed the Boomerang Grill, and in 2004, she realized her dream of opening her own restaurant, Isabel's. A beloved institution in Hollis, Isabel's became a gathering place for the community, serving delicious Mexican cuisine crafted with Maria's signature care and love. She treated every customer as family, and her restaurant became a symbol of warmth and hospitality.
Maria's generosity knew no bounds. Starting in 2006, she began an annual tradition of serving a Thanksgiving meal to everyone in Hollis, ensuring that no one in her community went without a warm, home-cooked meal on the holiday. Her selflessness and dedication to others were a reflection of her deep faith and love for Christ.
Maria was preceded in death by her cherished grandparents, Gregorio and Clara Rosales, her parents-in-law, Salvador and Isabel Martinez; her brother, Freddie Garza; her sister, Clara Soto; her nephews, Rudy Martinez, Jr., David Martinez, and Ivory Martinez; brother in law, Rudy Martinez, Sr. and her son-in-law, Jose "Che" Rascon. The love of her life Ruben Martinez, Sr. who passed in 2021.
Maria is survived by her mother, Emma (Rosales) Irle, three sons, Ruben Martinez, Jr. and his wife Corina of Lorenzo, Texas; Adam Martinez and his wife Cecilia of Lorenzo, Texas; and Andrew Martinez and Susie Gonzalez of Lubbock, Texas; two daughters, Lisa Martinez of Hollis; and Christina Puentes and her husband Evaristo of Hollis; brothers, Oscar Garza, and wife Carol, Ray Garza and wife Dorothy, Ernie Garza and wife Alyssa; sisters, Yolanda Carrizales and husband Peter, Rosa Harkey and husband Tony, Gloria Gould and husband Brodie, Tina Rodriguez, and husband, Bobby, Diana Macy, and husband Steve thirteen grandchildren, Marcos and Madelena Martinez; Marissa and Christopher Martinez; Laura Ochoa; Enrique, Isabel and Yadhira Rascon; Isabella, Angel, and Evalina Puentes; Uriah Martinez; Alex Juarez; and Gabriel Juarez Martinez; bonus children, Larry Martinez, Javier Martinez, Salvador Martinez and Augie Martinez; two great grandchildren, Ayanii and Artist Johnson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members the community of Hollis in which she loved and thought of each resident as an extended family member.
Maria's life was a testament to the power of love, faith, and community. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the entire Hollis community, who were blessed to know her as a mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor. Her legacy of kindness, her passion for cooking, and her unwavering faith in Christ will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Maria's family will receive friends from 5 pm to 6pm on Monday, February 17, 2025 at Harmon county funeral home. The rosary will be read from 6 pm to 7 pm on Monday, February 17, 2025.
A massive Christian burial will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hollis, Oklahoma. Maria will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Ruben Martinez, Sr. at Fairmount cemetery, Hollis, Oklahoma.
Maria Alejandra Martinez's light will forever shine in the hearts of those she touched. May she rest in eternal peace embraced by the love of Christ and the countless lives she blessed with her kindness.
*"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" - Proverbs 31:28-29*
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Born on March 15, 1953, in Pleasanton, Texas, to Emma Rosales Garza Irle, Maria was raised by her beloved grandparents, Gregorio and Clara Rosales, in the Pleasanton and Hollis areas. From an early age, Maria learned the value of hard work and the art of cooking from her grandmother, Clara. Together, they prepared meals for farmers and family alike, infusing every dish with perfection and love. These early lessons shaped Maria's life, as she grew to become an extraordinary cook and a pillar of her community.
On November 8, 1968, Maria married the love of her life, Ruben Martinez Sr., in Hollis, Oklahoma. Their union of over fifty years was a testament to their deep love and commitment to one another. Together, they built a beautiful life in Hollis, where they raised their family and became cherished members of the community.
Maria's passion for cooking led her to a remarkable career in the restaurant industry. She began as a cook at the Hollis Inn, later managed the Boomerang Grill, and in 2004, she realized her dream of opening her own restaurant, Isabel's. A beloved institution in Hollis, Isabel's became a gathering place for the community, serving delicious Mexican cuisine crafted with Maria's signature care and love. She treated every customer as family, and her restaurant became a symbol of warmth and hospitality.
Maria's generosity knew no bounds. Starting in 2006, she began an annual tradition of serving a Thanksgiving meal to everyone in Hollis, ensuring that no one in her community went without a warm, home-cooked meal on the holiday. Her selflessness and dedication to others were a reflection of her deep faith and love for Christ.
Maria was preceded in death by her cherished grandparents, Gregorio and Clara Rosales, her parents-in-law, Salvador and Isabel Martinez; her brother, Freddie Garza; her sister, Clara Soto; her nephews, Rudy Martinez, Jr., David Martinez, and Ivory Martinez; brother in law, Rudy Martinez, Sr. and her son-in-law, Jose "Che" Rascon. The love of her life Ruben Martinez, Sr. who passed in 2021.
Maria is survived by her mother, Emma (Rosales) Irle, three sons, Ruben Martinez, Jr. and his wife Corina of Lorenzo, Texas; Adam Martinez and his wife Cecilia of Lorenzo, Texas; and Andrew Martinez and Susie Gonzalez of Lubbock, Texas; two daughters, Lisa Martinez of Hollis; and Christina Puentes and her husband Evaristo of Hollis; brothers, Oscar Garza, and wife Carol, Ray Garza and wife Dorothy, Ernie Garza and wife Alyssa; sisters, Yolanda Carrizales and husband Peter, Rosa Harkey and husband Tony, Gloria Gould and husband Brodie, Tina Rodriguez, and husband, Bobby, Diana Macy, and husband Steve thirteen grandchildren, Marcos and Madelena Martinez; Marissa and Christopher Martinez; Laura Ochoa; Enrique, Isabel and Yadhira Rascon; Isabella, Angel, and Evalina Puentes; Uriah Martinez; Alex Juarez; and Gabriel Juarez Martinez; bonus children, Larry Martinez, Javier Martinez, Salvador Martinez and Augie Martinez; two great grandchildren, Ayanii and Artist Johnson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members the community of Hollis in which she loved and thought of each resident as an extended family member.
Maria's life was a testament to the power of love, faith, and community. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the entire Hollis community, who were blessed to know her as a mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor. Her legacy of kindness, her passion for cooking, and her unwavering faith in Christ will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Maria's family will receive friends from 5 pm to 6pm on Monday, February 17, 2025 at Harmon county funeral home. The rosary will be read from 6 pm to 7 pm on Monday, February 17, 2025.
A massive Christian burial will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hollis, Oklahoma. Maria will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Ruben Martinez, Sr. at Fairmount cemetery, Hollis, Oklahoma.
Maria Alejandra Martinez's light will forever shine in the hearts of those she touched. May she rest in eternal peace embraced by the love of Christ and the countless lives she blessed with her kindness.
*"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" - Proverbs 31:28-29*
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Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
17
Feb
5:00 PM
- 6:00 PM
Harmon County Funeral Home
417 East Broadway
Hollis, OK 73550
Rosary
Monday
17
Feb
6:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Harmon County Funeral Home
417 East Broadway
Hollis, OK 73550
Funeral Mass
Tuesday
18
Feb
11:00 AM
Our Lady of Guadalupe
523 East Chestnut Street
Hollis, OK 73550
Cemetery Details
Location
Fairmount Cemetery
Fairmount Cemetery
Hollis, OK 73550
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