María de Jesús Martínez

BROWNSVILLE, TX . – María De Jesús Martínez, ninety-eight, a lifelong resident of Brownsville, Texas, passed away peacefully at home in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, the 29th of March 2024, with her family by her side.  

María was born on January 8, 1926 in Brownsville, Texas. She began working at a very young age for numerous downtown businesses including Landreth’s Restaurant, McNair Sewing Co., Levi’s Sewing Co., and most notably as a custodian for the Brownsville Independent School District at Palm Grove Elementary and later the BISD Administrative offices, from which she retired in 1992. María often spoke about her days working at BISD and the numerous friendships she made. She was a loyal employee and very proud of her strong work ethic.

María or “Bobi”, as she was lovingly called, always made sure everyone in the family was taken care of. She was a devout Catholic and attended church every Sunday, after which she would prepare a huge meal for the family. Her joys were watching old Mexican movies and having her 3 PM merienda of coffee and pan dulce. Maria is most remembered for hosting the family’s yearly Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations in her Brownsville home.  

Preceding María in death was her mother, Andrea J. Lugo. She is survived by two maternal cousins, Francisca Garcia (Ignacio) and Amparo Shull (Robert), in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

We would like to give a special recognition of gratitude to Maria’s nieces Amelia Isbell, Jennifer Butanda and Lia Butanda, for caring for Maria during her final years. We would also like to thank Suncrest Hospice in San Antonio for caring for her during her final days. 

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, the 3rd of April 2024 between the hours of three o’clock in the afternoon and eight o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at six o'clock Wednesday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 4th of April 2023 at the historic Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 1218 E. Jefferson Street, Brownsville. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers will be Jose I. Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Mario R. Garcia, Felipe J. Butanda, Eric Galván, and Ryan Galván.

Honorary Pallbearers are Javier Gaspar and Robert Isbell.

Memories of Maria de Jesus may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.