Evangeline Oria Martinez

Mrs. Evangeline Martinez, 87, passed away peacefully at home surrounded with love and prayers. Graveside burial will be held under the direction of Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home at 1 p.m., Thursday, January 28, at Oakwood Cemetery. A lifelong Waco resident, Evangeline Martinez was born December 20, 1933, to Nilo Garcia and Carmen Morin Moreno. Evangeline shared her warmth, love, and humanity and, most of all, her sense of humor with everyone she met. Many admired her strength and confidence. She found humor in everything. Her laughter would envelop the room, spreading until everyone was laughing with her; and sometimes at her. She was perfectly okay with that, too. Evangeline was preceded in death by her parents, Nilo Garcia, Carmen Moreno and her stepfather, Antonio Moreno; her beloved husband, Manuel Martinez; her niece, Monica Fitzpatrick; her sister, Betty Fitzpatrick; and her brother-in-law, Larry Fitzpatrick. She is survived by her sons, Fermin Martinez and wife, Sharon, and Jacob Martinez; her daughters, Pam Murphy and husband, Mike, and Carlena Lesso and husband, Mark; and her precious 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Pallbearers are Christopher Martinez, Donald Horton, William Horton, Johnny Vasquez, Hunter Martinez, Joseph Wlazlinski, Jacob Martinez and Izayah Vasquez. Honorary pallbearers are her grandchildren and great grandchildren. We know death did not take her spirit, as it lives in all of us who knew her or spent time with her. “She has always been the person who’s shadow I dwell, but in fact is more like she is sunlight in who’s rays I grow.” Unknown The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.