Martina H. Salas

Martina Salas, lovingly known as Tina, entered into the loving arms of Our Lord on March 20, 2025, at the age of 83. She was born on May 21, 1941, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to her beloved parents, Francisca Barrera and Juan C. Hinojosa.

Tina graduated from Roy Miller High School and went on to attend Del Mar College, where she earned her associate’s degree in Bookkeeping. She built a successful career, working for the Maverick Market business office for 10 years in the 1970s before continuing as a bookkeeper at Oil Field Equipment for 12 years. Later in life, she felt a calling to care for others and obtained her CNA license, dedicating 14 years to working with the elderly at South Park Manor Nursing Home for the first seven years. She then transitioned to Driscoll Children Hospital where she retired.

A devoted member of St. Teresa Catholic Church, Tina's faith was a guiding force in her life. She prayed the rosary daily on her iPad and found joy in watching television, especially telenovelas. She also loved playing games on her iPad and staying connected with her family, often making Sunday phone calls to her brother, sister, daughters, and grandchildren. She cherished the tradition of Saturday breakfasts with her siblings, a ritual filled with love and laughter. Sundays were reserved for her favorite pastime—shopping at Walmart and Dollar General.

Tina will be reunited in heaven with her parents, Fransica B. and Juan C. Hinojosa; brother, Edwardo Hinojosa; brother-in-law, Manuel Martinez; grandson, Justin Quintero; granddaughter-in-law, Melarie Michelle Garcia; and her best friend and loving fur companion Tank Garcia.

Her memory will forever live in her children, Patricia Turner, Carolyn Valdez (Robert, Sr.), and Roxanne Branch (Dwayne). Grandchildren, Michael Anthony Garcia (Isabel), John Michael Garcia (Michelle), Tina Marie Garcia, Jackelyn Danielle Enriquez, Mireya M. Branch, Chief Petty Officer Robert Valdez Jr, (Jessica). Siblings, Ramon Hinojosa (Julie), John Hinojosa (Mary), Ismael “Mike” Hinojosa (Angie), Reynaldo Hinojosa (Mary), Mary Martinez, and Ricardo “Ricky” Hinojosa; and sister-in-law, Sylvia Hinojosa. Tina’s kindness, strength, and unwavering love for her family will forever be cherished also by her great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, numerous friends, and extended family.

The Salas family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Trio Hospice, especially David Berlanga, for ensuring everything was in place before Tina returned home. A special thank you to Nurse Deanna for her compassionate care, Nurse Adrian for his patience and thorough answers to every question, and her dedicated medical team—Thelma NP, Sally NP, Dr. Cohn, Dr. Shaffer, and Priscila, the weekend medical assistant who provided unwavering attention, guidance, and solutions during Tina’s most difficult times.

A visitation for Martina will be held Monday, April 7, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415 with a holy rosary at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1302 Lantana St., Corpus Christi, Texas. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.