Aurora L. Martinez

AURORA LARA MARTINEZ

SEPTEMBER 4, 1935 – APRIL 25, 2019

Aurora Lara Martinez, age 83 of Alton, Texas, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2019 after battling  a lengthy illness.  She was born in Villa de Juarez Coahuila, Mexico and came to the United States at the age of 12 years old.  Aurora became a US Citizen in 1995 and was a highly regarded person in her community. To her friends she was known as “La Guera”

Aurora enjoyed every aspect of being a homemaker. She loved to bake a variety of cakes, pies and cookies for her children, and then her grandchildren, she also loved and could prepare all sorts of traditional Mexican foods.  No one go visit her home without being offered something to eat or a cup of coffee.  Aurora also enjoyed sewing. Her pastime would involve buying patterns and fabrics to create dress outfits for her children. Lastly, she loved gardening her flowers and herbs when she was able to do so.

Aurora’s true passion was her family and friends. She spent her lifetime devoted to her family. She married Jose Tomas Martinez, Sr. on January 27, 1956, and lived in Pride’O, Texas.  Tomas and Aurora remained by each other’s side for 63 years until her passing. Together they raised 7 children; Juana Maria Chapa (spouse Noe Chapa), Lydia Valladares (spouse Romeo Valladares), Tomas Martinez, Jr (spouse Sandra Garza Martinez), Alicia Lopez, Raul Martinez, Ricardo Martinez and Cruz Fernando Martinez.

Aurora is survived by her husband, 7 children, 23 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, her brother Americo Lara, and a number of other loving relatives and close friends. She is reunited in heaven with her father Exiquio Lara Tovar, her mother Francisca Zamora Hernandez and her brother Amador Lara, and other siblings that preceded her as a child.

Even though Aurora has left this world, she left behind the legacy of her love and perseverance. The way she touched many lives will remain in each one of our hearts. Her perseverance through adversity was a strong lesson for her family and those close to her as she also worked outside of her home to help provide for the household, no matter her ailments.  She instilled in her children a strong sense of morality and virtue. She taught her children the importance of faith, education, strong work ethic and family values through countless sit down talks (consejos).

The family wishes to thank all those involved in her care during her days of illness.  We would like to invite, everyone, including those who got to know Aurora during her life’s journey, to join us Tuesday, April 30th at Rivera Funeral Home in McAllen, from 3 pm to 9 pm for the viewing.  A Rosary will be prayed at 7 pm.  Holy Mass will be celebrated the next day, Wednesday, May 1st at 10 am at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen.

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