Jessie Mae Kennedy Martinez, born February 26, 1919 passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the age of 94, surrounded by her loving family. She was a native of Mississippi and a resident of Greenwell Springs. As a teenager she played basketball for Baker High School and made beautiful music with her violin. She graduated from high school with honors in 1936. As a young adult, she played in the Baton Rouge Orchestra. Throughout her life she enjoyed traveling with friends, including trips to Hawaii and white water rafting in the mountains. Jessie loved to roller skate and dance and actually wore out a new pair of dancing shoes at a local street dance. She enjoyed helping break show horses for her husband to train. She was the head of alterations at J.C. Penney's in Delmont Village, as well as the seamstress for numerous family and friends. Prior to membership at Florida Blvd. Baptist church, Jessie was a member of Lanier Baptist Church for 35 years where she loved and rocked babies in the nursery. A loving mother, Mammaw, sister, aunt, and friend, Jessie served God faithfully and set a wonderful Godly example for all. "She was a great lady who always smiled and loved us all. She touched a lot of people, rocked a bunch of babies in the nursery, and was the first window into the sweetness of a Godly woman that many kids got to look through!" (spoken by one of the kids that looked through her window). She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her. Jessie was a Den Mom, worked with Volunteers of America, Meals on Wheels, and Penny Pals. She is survived by her children and spouses, Marsha Ann Martinez Lincecum and Hubert, Gerald "Jerry" Martinez and Carol, and Bruce L. Martinez and Dao; grandchildren, Jhann Ratliff and husband Russ, Annatosha Williams, Rusty Whittington, Tricia Vadnais and husband William, Damon Whittington, Randall Whittington and wife Amandalin, Nicole Brown and husband Chris, Alicia Vaughn and husband Aaron, Bruce "Buddy" Martinez and wife Nicole, and Monica Meistrell and husband Adam; great grandchildren, Candace, DeeShae, Brody, Dalton, Jessie, Brendon, Jordyn, Savannah, Landen, Olivia, Isaac, Tanner, Anna, Morgan, Jane, Ian, Ellie, Tucker, Micah, and Asher; great-great grandchild, Marissa; sister, Ruby Harrington; stepsisters, Betty and Sunny; and stepbrother, Lionel. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Henry Lawrence Martinez; mother, Stella Jane Kennedy; father, Connie H. Kennedy, Sr.; stepmother, Ethel Blanchard; brothers, Gaynell and Connie H. Jr.; sister, Dorothy "Dot" Bergeron; and stepbrother, Billy. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Friday, January 3, 2014, from 5pm until 9pm and resume on Saturday, January 4, 2013, from 10am until religious service at 12pm conducted by Bro. T.W. Terral and Bro. Randy Johnson. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Rusty, Randall, and Landon Whittington, Bruce "Buddy" Martinez, Russ and Brendon Ratliff, and Chris Brown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Generations Hospice, 32948 Hwy 16, Denham Springs, LA 70706. The family would like to express sincere thanks to her many loving caregivers, and a special thanks to her long-time caregiver, Danielle.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.5