Martha Ann Garza

Martha Ann Garza was born on April 21, 1956 in Safford Arizona. Martha was extraordinary from the start, she was born a twin. Due to circumstances beyond her control, Martha and her twin sister Mary were removed from their biological family and hospitalized due to severe malnutrition. There was hope for the girls though, they were to be adopted by Lucas and Mercedes Rodriguez, a loving couple who had been unable to have children together. Unfortunately, Martha’s twin sister Mary was unable to recover from her illness and passed away in 1956. Mercy and Lucas adopted Martha and together the new family lived in the Safford/Thatcher Arizona area in a home filled with love.

The family moved to Phoenix Arizona and eventually settled into the Golden Gate community in south Phoenix where Martha attended elementary and junior high schools. Martha attended North High School in Phoenix for her Freshman through Junior years of high school. During her Senior year of high school, the family moved into their new home in a neighborhood near 27th Ave and Roosevelt in what was then, West Phoenix. Martha attended her Senior year and graduated from Carl Hayden High School in 1974.

Martha went on to attend Maricopa Technical College. It was during this time, while attending a friend’s party that Martha met Lupe Garza who would become her husband in January 1977. Martha became a Mother in August 1977 when her eldest daughter Mercedes was born. The family added another daughter to the family when Stephanie was born in May of 1980. Yet another daughter Alexandria (Tigger) was born in August 1985. The Garzas raised their girls in their south Phoenix home on Sunland Ave.

Martha became a Grandmother for the first time in June of 1997 when her grandson Jose-Guadalupe (JG) was born. In May of 1999 grandson Lorenzo was born, followed by grandson Michael in October 2001. In November 2004, one and only granddaughter Destiny was born. Martha loved her grandchildren dearly.

Martha worked in a variety of fields throughout her life but officially “retired” in 2003 to stay home and take care of her daughter Stephanie who had medical issues.

Martha and Lupe were able to celebrate 36 years of marriage before declining health claimed Martha far too soon.

Martha was preceded in death by her twin sister Mary and her parents Mercedes and Lucas Rodriguez.

Martha is survived by her husband Lupe Garza, daughters Mercy Garza, Stephanie Garza and Tigger Garza, Sister Kathy Roland, Brother Ernie Valencia, grandchildren JG Fernandez, Lorenzo Fernandez, Michael Garza and Destiny Garza, nephews Eric Bryant Jr. and James Johnson as well as a host of other family and friends.