Minnie Ortiz Martinez

Christ, on Friday, March 5, 2021. She was a devoted Christian,

loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She

valiantly battled with a lung disease for over three years.

Minnie was born January 18, 1934 to Joe R. and Cruz P. Ortiz in

Eastland, Texas. She grew up in Abilene, Texas where she met

the love of her life, Jose (Joe) Martinez, Jr. They married on

June 26, 1954. They lived in Abilene for 10 years and later

moved to Houston, Texas where they raised their three

daughters, Sandy, Donna and Toni Annette.

Minnie loved reading, crossword puzzles, cooking and travel.

She was also a talented seamstress and took pride in her

gardening. She loved the holidays, which we celebrate,

especially Christmas and Easter. She and her husband

travelled to many places including Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, the

Caribbean Islands, most of Europe and the Holy Land.

She had a servant’s heart for her entire life, participating in

PTA’s, and other school and church functions. She was a

member of Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel and served for many

years in various ministries including teaching Sunday School,

ladies ministries, and singing in the choir and as a soloist. She

had a gift for listening to people’s problems and assisting many

in times of grief and pain.

Minnie is survived by her husband of 66 years, Jose (Joe),

daughters Sandy Leathers and her husband Terry of Houston;

Donna Bell and husband Steve of Cypress; Toni Annette Arnold

and husband Wayne of Houston; granddaughter Vanessa

Bennett of Houston, grandson Eric Lewis and wife Janie of

Cypress; grandson Shaun Bennett of Houston, grandson Philip

Bennett and wife Laura of Houston; grandson Daniel Bell and

his wife Beatrice of Houston; great-grandchildren Emily Lewis

and great-grandsons Nicholas Lewis and Cameron Fincham.

Additionally, she leaves behind sister Victoria Casares of San

Diego, California; sister Corina Gonzalez of Abilene, sister Cruz

Jimenez of Abilene, brother Eliseo Ortiz of Dallas and sister

Naomi Martinez of Abilene. She also leaves behind numerous

nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and a large and beautiful

extended family. Minnie is preceded in death by her parents,

several brothers and sisters, and a grandson, Joshua Bell.