Maria del Rosario Martinez

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Maria del Rosario Martinez, lovingly known as Rosario, passed away peacefully on Saturday, the 12th of July 2025, in her hometown of Brownsville, Texas, at the age of 85. Born on August 7, 1939, in Brownsville, she lived a life rooted in faith, service, and love for her family and community.

A 1959 graduate of Villa Maria High School in Brownsville, Rosario answered a spiritual calling early in life and joined the Missionary Sisters of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. She served at Mt. Tabor Convent in Corpus Christi from 1959 to 1969 before returning home to begin her career in education.

Rosario touched countless young lives as an elementary school teacher in the San Benito and Brownsville Independent School Districts, where she served with compassion and dedication until her retirement in 2004.

In retirement, Rosario found joy in her garden and cherished every moment spent with her daughter. She was known for her warmth, her generosity, and her unwavering kindness. Rosario never met a stranger - her door was always open, and her heart even more so.

Her legacy of love, service, and selflessness will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.

Rosario was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Alejandro and Rosa Vera Martinez; her brothers, Carlos, Alejandro Jr., and Gilbert Martinez; and by her sister, Rosita Martinez Herrera.

She is survived by her devoted daughter, Rosario, and her husband, Timothy Johnson, Jr.; and by her sister, Maria Benita Alvarez (Gilbert). She was a proud grandmother to Tanner, Chloe, and Gavin Johnson, and will be fondly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, the 17th of July 2025 between the hours of five o’clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Thursday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at twelve noon on Friday, the 18th of July 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4464 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers will be Timothy Johnson, Jr., Tanner Johnson, Gavin Johnson, Juan Natharen, Nick De Leon, and Troy Reese.

Memories of Rosario may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

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