Esmeralda G. Martinez

Esmeralda G. Martinez, also known as Snooky, age 95, of San Benito, TX, passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023.  She was born on February 17, 1928, in Corpus Christi, TX, to the late Manuela Cantu Garza and her father Francisco Garza.  The family later moved to San Benito, TX where she married the love of her life, Carlos Martinez.  They were married for 57 years until he passed away in the year 2000.

Esmeralda is survived by her children Mary Jane Martinez, Harlingen TX, Robert Martinez, San Benito, TX, Rey Martinez, Sharyland, TX and Carlos Martinez, Jr, Harlingen, TX.  She has ten grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Preceding in death were her brothers Adan Garza, Houston, TX, and Guillermo Garza, Rockfalls, Il, sisters Berta Pena, Dallas, TX and Aurora Porter, Highlands, TX.  Surviving siblings are two sisters Mary Vallejo, Corpus Christi, TX and Ofelia Markovich, Bellevue, NE.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and well known and loved throughout the community.  She was in the food retail industry together with her husband for over 30 years.  They owned two stores in San Benito, San Jose Grocery and Pancho’s Grocery Store.

Her hobbies included dancing, singing, playing cards and traveling.

The Martinez family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 o’clock Wednesday evening.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church.  Following the Mass, Esmeralda will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park.