Estella Martinez

Estella Martinez, 81, passed away on March 10, 2026, at home, surrounded by her family.

Born on April 12, 1944, in Victoria, Texas, to Francisco “Kiko” DeHoyos and Elvira DeHoyos, Estella was the third of six children. A 1962 graduate of Victoria High School, she was a proud Stingaree. She began her career at Danburg’s retail in Victoria and later at Sears and Roebuck. There she met Edward G. Martinez, a U.S. Navy sailor from Refugio, Texas, who became the love of her life. They married in 1970 and shared a lifetime rooted in faith, love, and happiness. Five years later, they welcomed their son, George.

In 1976, the family moved to Brazoria, Texas, when Edward was hired by Dow Chemical. Estella devoted herself to being a loving wife and mother, supporting her husband and son with quiet strength and unwavering encouragement. Family was the center of her world. She volunteered at local childcare centers, attended her son’s concerts and recitals, and spent many evenings cheering for him from the stands at ballparks and stadiums, even though sports were not her natural interest.

Estella worked at Dow Chemical for 18 years before retiring in 1998. She then joined the Brazoria County Child Development Council and Head Start program. A strong supporter of U.S. service members, she was an active member of the Brazoria County Military Moms and Wives Club and sent many care packages overseas during the war in Iraq. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her life. A longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brazoria, she helped establish the St. Joseph’s Guadalupanos and belonged to Our Lady Queen of Hope Local Court #2289 of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Even after her son left home, she continued serving the parish by teaching Catechism and First Communion classes.

Estella will be remembered as a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. A woman of resolute strength and elegant grace, she lived by her deep convictions and touched others with her warm smile, quick wit, and compassionate heart. She leaves a profound emptiness in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward G. Martinez, her parents, Francisco and Elvira DeHoyos, her brothers Enrique DeHoyos and Francisco DeHoyos Jr., her brothers-in-law Perfecto “Pepe” Martinez, Juan Martinez, and Sylvester “Chivo” Martinez, and her sister-in-law Guadalupe “Lupe” Garza.

She is survived by her devoted son, George E. Martinez of San Antonio, Texas; her loving sisters Lupe Burney of Victoria, Texas, Mary Rojas of Spring Hill, Tennessee, and Linda Garcia of Richwood, Texas; her sisters-in-law Gloria Garcia of Refugio, Texas, and Mary Helen Hinojosa of Refugio, Texas; along with many dear family members and friends.