Isabell Martinez Kling

The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother. Our mother had the largest heart of anyone we know and we will miss her dearly. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was 86, born Oct. 1, 1922, in Livonia, and passed away Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, at her home in Pine Grove with her family who had her that long to love. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 6 p.m. Visitation at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Michael Moroney, celebrant. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Survived by her two daughters, Toni Samson and husband Wickliff "Wick," and Gwendolyn "Gwen" Samson; grandchildren, Joey Samson and wife Julie, Michelle Hobkirk and husband Khris, Michael Samson and wife Shauna, Christopher Samson and wife Jamie, Mary Ditcharo, Chris Ray Samson, Lindsey Samson, Kristen McManus and husband Chad, and Earl Cason; 26 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Ethel Morris, Mildred Bourg, Shirley McNemar and Janice Smith; brother, Raymond "Curley" Martinez and wife Claudine; sister-in-law, Jeannie Martinez; and uncle, Louis Spragio and wife Demple. Isabell was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil A. Kling; parents, Adam Martinez Sr. and Lucy Spragio Martinez; sister, Evelyn "Bud" Barnett; son-in-law, Charles "Bootie" Samson; grandchildren, Sharon Bush and Dominic Ditcharo; and loving brother, Adam "Brother" Martinez Jr. Pallbearers will be Joey Samson, Michael Samson, Christopher Samson, Chris Ray Samson, Leslie Wayne Bryer and Khris Hobkirk. She retired at 64 as a jewelry saleslady; she was of the Catholic faith and a member of the Catholic Daughters of Sacred Heart. Isabell loved to watch LSU football games. Many thanks to Dr. David Gaudin and Beth Gaudin at North Oaks Medical Center and Metro Preferred Home Care and to Laurie Mobley, her caregiver and friend, and to Vital Hospice.