Minerva Martinez Soto was called home by our Lord and Savior on September 27, 2022. Minerva was born on June 27, 1928, into a loving home in Houston, TX. Sadly, at age six, Minerva lost her mother, Maria Anita Gutierrez, and her father, Manuel Martinez, was left with seven children. A Miss Eugenia Smith of the Mexican Community Center in Houston, TX, advised Manuel to send his children to Holding Institute in Laredo, TX. This would keep the children together and provide them with a loving environment. Five of the seven children were old enough to enroll and start school. In the fall of 1935, Richard, Irene, Mary, Edward, and Minerva were enrolled and started their new lives at Holding. In 1936, Clemente was able to join his siblings at Holding. Four years later, the last sibling, Anita, joined her siblings. For the first several years, Minerva stayed at school year-round. Her father would visit her and her siblings at Christmas. As the years passed, the children were permitted to travel home for different parts of the year.
In 1947, Minerva received her diploma from Holding Institute. While there she enjoyed the preaching of the Rev. Felix A. Soto. When she arrived back home to Houston, she learned he was the pastor of the nearby El Mesias United Methodist Church. Although the family was Roman Catholic, Minerva had always enjoyed the music and preaching of the Methodist church as well as the kindness shown to her and her siblings while at Holding. These things encouraged her to attend a service at El Mesias United Methodist Church. It was here she met the preacher’s son who became the love of her life, Luis A. Soto. Luis and Minerva were married on December 23, 1950, by Bishop A. Frank Smith and Rev. Felix A. Soto at El Mesias UMC. Luis & Minerva would spend the next sixty-seven years of their lives together.
In 1949, she graduated from nursing school at the Jeff Davis School of Nursing. In those years, she went to school all day and then worked the hospital's 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. shift. In between school and work, Luis would court her. He would walk her to classes and sometimes could be seen peeking in the windows of her classrooms. Minerva learned from an early age to stand up for herself and others as needed. One of her professors told her that she would never graduate from the program and suggested it was due to her race and ethnicity. In a time when women did not say anything, Minerva reported her professor to the proper authorities, the professor was dismissed, and she did graduate!
Minerva worked as a registered nurse at several Houston hospitals and was with Ben Taub Hospital for over thirty years. She was a respected nurse and during her career with Ben Taub had been the head nurse of the admitting clinic and later the ENT clinic. Everyone respected her knowledge and skills. She touched the lives of thousands through those years. Minerva was also a strong woman of faith. She faithfully attended and served El Mesias UMC for most of her life. Minerva was a member of the United Methodist Women and participated in all aspects of church life. She served for years at the church's food bank, helping those in need. Moreover, Minerva served on the Board of the Methodist Children's Home in Waco for eight years. Minerva also participated a social sorority, Azaleas Club. This group of Latina & Hispanic women supported and recognized their education, careers, and dedication to their families.
Although Minerva worked at a time when most of her peers did not, this did not stop her from being the most amazing daughter, sibling, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The Lord blessed her and Luis with four children: Jorge Luis, Laura, Luis II, and Elsa. She instilled in her children the need for education; each received their Bachelor's degree, two received Master's degrees, and one received her Ph.D. Hard work and strong faith were the driving forces within the family. Other attributes of Minerva were her ability to forgive and her continual love no matter what. La Familia (the family) was to stay together through the good and bad times of life. The children remember all the trips to Mexico, Galveston, Youth Camps, and visiting many parts of the world (Mexico, Europe, and cruises).
Minerva opened her home to anyone who needed a place to stay and provided meals and care to all. Often providing a warm bed to the travelers of the Rio Grande Methodist Conference, most especially pastors and youth. As well as those who found themselves with need of a place to call home for period of their lives. She will also be remembered for her wit (you never knew what she would say) and her cream of wheat! The children always loved it.
Minerva is preceded in death by her parents, Manuel & Anita Martinez. Her loving husband Luis and son Jorge Luis. Siblings: Irene, Richard, Mary, Edward, Clemente, and most recently Anita. She is survived by her children, Laura, Luis II, and Elsa (Richard). Grandchildren; Joseph (Sandy), Luis III (Liz), Marisa, David Luis (Jenny), Cristina, Rebeca (Jonathon), Daniel, & Annamarie. Great grandchildren: Hayden, Irie, Ruby, Max Luis & Olivia. Also survived by cousins, and numerous nieces & nephews who love her. She was a gift to all who knew her.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Methodist Children's Home in Waco at, http://www.mch.org/.
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