Zulema was born on February 9, 1920 to Epigmenio and Ismaela Maldonado Arredondo. She married Gilbert Martinez on October 18, 1942 in Port Arthur, Texas. They raised eight children together and were happily married for 70 years. A long-time resident of Fannett, Texas, Zulema was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was active in the Catholic Daughters and Altar Society.
Zulema was preceded in death by: her parents; son, Robert Martinez; daughter, Belinda Rose Martinez; granddaughter, Krista Sifferd; sister, Hortensia Flores; and brother Epigmenio Arredondo.
Zulema is survived by: her husband, Gilbert; her children, Roland (Sherry) Martinez, Gracie (Joe) Garcia, Nick (Becky) Martinez, Joel (Melissa) Martinez, Belinda (Chuck) Sifferd, Leticia (Martin) Vela; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Gus Arredondo; sister, Pauline (Boone) Theriot; and sister-in-law, Zoila Arredondo.