Lillian Ruth Martinez

Lillian Ruth Childress Martinez
March 1, 1926 January 15, 2009

Lillian Ruth Childress Martinez attended her homecoming celebration at our Fathers house on January 15, 2009, after battling Alzheimers for several years. Lillian was born on March 1, 1926 at Corpus Christi, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her father Charles Fredrick Childress, her mother Elvira Cisneros Childress, and her soninlaw Alfonso X. Soto, Sr.

Lillian is survived by her loving husband of 64 years Apolonio Polo Martinez, her daughter Neida Ruth Soto Al , her son, Rodolph Rudy Martinez Nydia, her grandchildren: Alfonso X. Al Soto, Jr. Eunice, Lillian Ruth Ruthie Gates Jason, Miriam Ruth Mimi Martinez, Jose Antonio Tony Soto II, and Felicia A. Martinez, her greatgrandchildren: Ileana Ruth Lilly Gates, Karen Elizabeth Lizzie Gates, and Julia Alexis Lexi Gates. She is also survived by her brothers: Charles Fredrich Childress, Jr., David Omar Childress and many nieces and nephews.

Lillians family will be greeting family and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 17th, in the West Chapel of DarlingMouser Funeral Home. The funeral service celebrating her life will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 18th in the East Chapel of DarlingMouser. Interment will follow to Buena Vista Burial Park.

Alfonso X. Soto Jr., Jose A. Soto II, Julio Gonzalez Jr., Jason A. Gates, Arturo Nelson, Louie Cuevas, and Mark Childress are honored to be serving as Lillians pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Honorable Judge A.C. Nelson, Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., Paul Cowen, Guillermo Serrano, Angel Martinez Jr., Sergio Martinez, Rolando Aguilar, Al Senteno, Lupe Leal and David Tumlinson IV.

The family will forever be grateful to Brownsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and its staff and nurses, Dr. Pelly, Odyssey Sandi Jo Funk Hospice program and the nursing staff on the second floor and Emergency Room of Valley Baptist Medical CenterBrownsville who cared for her with great compassion.

Lillian has been a blessing to her family, dedicating herself to taking care of her children during great challenges with asthma and allergies at a time when medications were not quite as sophisticated. She lived an exemplary life, helping others and being an example for all who came in contact with her. She has been a great wife, loving and selfsacrificing mother, active Christian, accomplished pianist, wise aunt, loving sister, doting grandmother, loyal friend and many more roles than can be mentioned.

Lillian always longed to be a nurse. She enrolled in the nursing program at TSC. Ironically, one of her family members became ill and she left her dream to help out as has always been her style. Her family has established a nursing scholarship in her memory at the Valley Baptist Foundation where her daughter works. The scholarship is awarded to a worthy Valley Baptist Vocational School of Nursing student who has gone back to school to fulfill a lifelong dream to be a nurse. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to the Lillian Ruth Martinez Scholarship fund. Donations may be mailed to: Lillian Ruth Martinez Scholarship Fund, Valley Baptist Foundation, P.O. Box 2588, Harlingen, TX 785519982.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Sunday, January 17, 2010
5 p.m.to 8 p.m.

Service

Chapel Service

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, January 18, 2010
11 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521

Memorial Contributions

Valley Baptist Foundation
Harlingen, TX  78551