Dolores Maria Flores

She was born on July 18, 1933 in Gonzales, Texas to Joe C. Martinez and Teodora Guajardo Martinez (both preceded in death). She was the eldest to two sisters: Rachel Rodriguez and Ruth Asher.

At the age of fifteen she met the love of her life; at eighteen, she married her love, Guadalupe Flores in November 1951. They celebrated sixty three years together before her death. She was a loving mother to four children: Richard Flores, Gloria Flores Gonzalez, Patrick Flores, and Margaret Flores Mendez. She was mother-in-law to: Ruby Sharpe, Manuel Gonzalez, Esther Buentello Flores, and Thomas M. Mendez. She was grandmother to: Lou, Fabian, Misty, Angie, Christopher, Laura, Jennifer, Alicia, Danielle, Thomas. She was great-grandmother to: Christian, Nathaniel, Johnny, Rito, Valentino, Viviana, Leo, Alex, Seep, Jade, Damien, and Rian.

She devoted her life to serving others. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, and grandmother. She cared for her elderly mother, taking her in during her final years; she and Lupe became guardians to the elder grandkids, she shuttled grand kids from school and dedicated her life to help her kids and grandkids. She was an early riser and accomplished much in twenty four hours. She had energy and drive throughout her life and amazed us with her non-stop abilities.

Dolores was a great homemaker and she was a wonderful cook. In her early days, she made home-made tortillas and the neighborhood kids, including the Massey, Bilnoski, and Gallardo kids, would come knocking on the kitchen back door to ask for a tortilla hot off the “comal”. She made the best meatballs, stuffed cabbage, and fried chicken. Her menudo could cure any hangover. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidering, and gardening. She was known for her ability to make plants flourish and grow. Some of her favorite pastimes were playing cards, doing puzzles, including crossword and word searches. She loved to watch detective shows, including Columbo, Murder She Wrote, and NCIS.

She loved to dance. She and Lupe met at a dance hall called La Bonita Garden in their teens. In their married life, they continued to dance and entertain family and friends.

She served as bookkeeper for the family business, Flores Brothers Enterprises, from the mid 1970’s until retiring in the early 1990’s. She prided herself in contributing and helping with the company’s success.

In their retirement years, Dolores and Lupe enjoyed eating out and frequented their favorite eateries, I-Hop, Chinese buffets, James Coney Island, and Dairy Land.

She and Lupe attended St. Patrick Catholic Church 10:30 a.m. mass on Sundays. In past years, they served in the annual church bazaar, heading up the raffle ticket booth for seven years.

Dolores leaves behind a legacy of loving children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who are grateful for the memories of good food, happy times, and an appreciation for family. She will be missed and forever loved. We find comfort in knowing she is resting peacefully in the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Funeral Information

The Visitation will be held Thursday, October 15, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Brookside Funeral Home at 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. The Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, October 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. St. Patrick Catholic Church at 4918 Cochran St., Houston, TX 77009, followed by the Procession to Brookside Funeral Home at 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX for the graveside service, followed by the Family Gathering at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 4918 Cochran St., Houston, TX 77009. – Noon to 3:00 p.m.