Esperanza Martinez

Esperanza R. Martinez, 61, of Ballinger passed away Monday, March 17, 2008 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene.

She was born July 6, 1946 in Ballinger to Cirildo and Victoria Rodriguez Rivera. She married Juan Martinez and lived in Ballinger all her life. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Anita Cerna and Modesta Medrano; brothers, Catarino Rivera, Victor Rivera, and Rudy Rivera; and a son, Paul Guajardo.

She is survived by her husband, Juan Jose Martinez of the home; her children, Rene Flores of Ballinger; Peter Guajardo of Abilene; Delia Medrano of Ballinger; Nanette Stewart of Irmo, South Carolina; Lisa Quirino and husband, Chris, of San Angelo; Vickie Griffith of Ballinger; J. J. Martinez of Ballinger; and Caesar Martinez of Lubbock. Also surviving are sisters, Cirilda Luera of Ballinger, Bertha Rivera of Houston, Juanita Garcia of Ballinger; 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Rosary will be recited Saturday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home Chapel in Ballinger. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, March 24 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ballinger with Father Hugh Wade officiating. Pallbearers will be John Joe Rivera, Alex Rivera, Rosalio Lopez, George Martinez, Gilbert Garcia, and Catarino Rivera. Burial will be in the Latin-American Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Lange Funeral Home. Guests may register at ballingerfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the Hendrick Medical Center staff for taking great care of their mother.