GUADALUPE "LUPITA" MEJIA MARTINEZ
MERCEDES - Guadalupe "Lupita" Mejia Martinez, 63, went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ Friday, June 15, 2012. She was born December 12, 1948, in Mercedes, Texas.
She is preceded in death by her beloved father Macario Mejia and mother Catalina "Tita" Garcia Mejia. Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband of 40 years, Juan "Johnny" Oscar Martinez Sr., and her three sons, Juan "John" Oscar Martinez Jr. (Lisa) of Mercedes, Jason Omar Martinez (Gina) of Weslaco, and Jodie Oliver Martinez of Mercedes. She was blessed with five grandchildren: Juan "Johnny" Oscar Martinez III, Justin Owen Martinez, Jaleen Olivia Martinez, Julian Orien Martinez and Jewel Oriana Martinez. She is also survived by four brothers: Daniel "Danny" Mejia of La Feria, Esteban "Steven" Mejia of Mercedes, Macario "Mike" Mejia of Relampago, and Ramon Mejia of Mercedes; and five sisters: Damiana "Nena" Escareno of Toldeo, Ohio, Consuelo "Connie" Tristan of Elmore, Ohio, Juana "Janie" Gomez of Mercedes, Esmeralda "Esme" Mejia of Hickory, NC, and Catarina "Cathy" Mejia of San Juan.
Lupita was a 1970 Mercedes High School graduate. On April 29, 1967, as a freshman in high school, she was invited to the Junior-Senior prom by her future husband who was a junior. They instantly fell in love, dated for about five years, and were wed January 22, 1972. Lupita was a teacher aid for many years with the Mercedes ISD. She was a volunteer religious education teacher for over seventeen years at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Mercedes. As catechists, she taught and prepared students for the Catholic spiritual life. On October 1995, Lupita became a founding member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Divine Mercy Court #2420 at Our Lady of Mercy Church. She is recognized as a "Chartered Member" with over sixteen years of volunteered service.
She was a wonderful wife, mother, teacher, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin and friend. She was known as the heart of the family – everything she did, she did for her family for whom she loved so deeply; her faith in the Lord brought her family together to share in her love of God. Lupita will be remembered for her delicious cooking skills, from enchiladas, fried chicken, and conchitas to her love of baking cookies during the Christmas holidays, especially gingerbread. Her hobbies also included arts and crafts, creating her own personal birthday and greeting cards, and making beautiful bracelets, necklaces, and earrings using beads and crystals. Lupita gave us all such courage and hope and reminded us of the preciousness of life. She touched the lives of her family and many people with her smile, generosity and maintained faith to the very end. She was so full of life, a giver without question, a best friend and confidant, never judgmental and always quick to forgive. She is and will always remain the rock of the Martinez Family. She will be greatly missed by all but will remain in our hearts, as we will forever keep her memory alive. Now you may soar with wings of angels and walk the streets of gold in Heaven. We will see you again someday.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 17, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary service at 7 p.m. at Rudy Garza Funeral Home in Mercedes. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 18, 2012; funeral procession will depart the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. for a 2 p.m. service at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church located at 322 S. Vermont Ave. in Mercedes. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco.
Pallbearers will be her three sons and three nephews: Macario Mejia, Timothy Isaac Gomez, and Ramon Mejia Jr. Honorary Pallbearers are her grandsons: Juan "Johnny" Oscar Martinez III, Justin Owen Martinez, and Julian Orien Martinez.
Funeral services under direction and care of Rudy Garza Funeral Home of Mercedes, TX.

Published in The Monitor from June 16 to June 17, 2012