Irene Martinez, 95, passed away peacefully at her home in Wichita Falls, TX on April 24, 2022.

A Rosary will be held at 6:00 PM, Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home in Wichita Falls with funeral services and interment to be held in Waco, TX at 10:00 AM, Thursday, May 5, 2022 at St. Francis on the Brazos and Oakwood Cemetery.

Irene was born on November 13, 1926, in Waco, TX. It was in Waco where she met and fell in love with her childhood sweetheart, Antonio (Tony) Martinez. She supported Tony from afar during the war with her numerous letters. Irene later married her sweetheart on December 29, 1951 and soon moved to Wichita Falls. Between 1952 and 1961 she gave birth to three sons and one daughter. After her children were grown, she worked for a short time at Dillard's department store and provided childcare for some of the neighborhood children.

She enjoyed traveling with Tony to visit her siblings in Waco and her grandchildren all throughout Texas, but she especially loved vacationing with family to Branson, Missouri. She took great pleasure in entertaining all guests to her home and was known for all her delicious meals and holiday baked goods. In her later years, she greatly enjoyed visits from all her great-grandchildren. Being born and raised in Waco, she was a lifelong Baylor Bear fan and supported her Bears wholeheartedly. Throughout her life, Irene volunteered and supported various organizations her children participated in and was an active member and supporter of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Carlota (Ortega) and Ysaias B. Martinez; brothers, Ignacio (Nacho) Martinez, John Martinez, and Bernardo Martinez; sisters, Mary Hernandez, Alfonsa (Ponchie) Rocha, and Antonia Reyes; and her loving husband of 53 years, Tony.

Left behind to cherish and honor her memory are her children, Tony Jr. and wife Adela of Sulphur Springs, Carlos Martinez of Wichita Falls, Carlota (Charlene) Martinez of Buda, TX, and Marcos Martinez and wife Alice of Wichita Falls. Her grandchildren, Valentina (Valerie) Martinez-Casares and Mark, Veronica Krall and Bryan, Victoria Martinez, Vanessa Martinez, Nicholas Martinez and Alison, Alannah Martinez, Kimberly (Niki) Helton, and Jacob Helton; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Anita Rodriguez of Dallas; and brothers, Joe Martinez and Santos (Tito) Martinez of Waco; also, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She will be greatly missed by all that knew her and her gentle nature.