Martha Carrillo Valdez, 74, went home to be with Jesus on October 12, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. She was born on Dec. 11, 1939 in Valentine to Hipolito Sr. and Cruz Carrillo. Martha married the man of her dreams, Felipe Valdez on April 29, 1959, in Van Horn.
They had one son, Merced. Martha and Felipe considered Dolores “Lolo†Urias their second son. Martha was a gentle, quiet soul. Her family was her pride and joy, whom she loved unconditionally. Her home echoed that sentiment, because of all the pictures, trinkets, and special keepsakes given to her by family and friends. Her unwavering faith kept her strong and determined to keep on fighting.
She loved the Lord with a heart of gold. Many nights she could be heard reciting her bedtime prayers and calling on the name of Jesus, her redeeming savior. She enjoyed reading, cross-stitching, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and keeping up with the Van Horn Eagle sport teams, through The Van Horn Advocate. On a weekly basis, she called family and friends to check up on them, and she was faithful in remembering birthdays and anniversaries.
The Lord blessed Martha with eight wonderful months of making precious and priceless memories with her great granddaughter, Karsen before her passing. Lots of smiles, hugs, and kisses were exchanged during that time. She is survived by her son and his wife, Merced and Lucy Valdez of Hobbs, as well as her grandchildren, Benita “Lulu†and Kesomi Siaosi of Hobbs, Isaac and Lynn Valdez of Banner, WY, Sarah and Brad May of Hobbs, and Phillip Valdez of Hobbs.
She was blessed with five great grandchildren: Siali and Samisoni Siaosi, Karsen May, and Ethen and Elicia Valdez. She is survived by her sister along with her spouse, Cris and Bob Korytkowski of West Bend, WI., and four brothers: Rene Carrillo, Sr. of Odessa, Richard Carrillo, Manuel Carrillo, and Carlos Carrillo and his wife Virginia of Van Horn. Martha is also survived by her loving sister-in-law Vicky Gonzalez, her brothers-in-law along with their spouses: Lupe and Sylvia Valdez of Van Horn, Lorenzo and Olga Valdez of Pelahatchie, MS., Chuy and Delia Valdez of San Antonio, as well as Lolo and Rosa Emma Urias of Van Horn and her aunt Luisa Rutledge of El Paso.
She was preceded in death by her husband Felipe Valdez, her parents Hipolito Sr. and Cruz Carrillo, her brother Hipolito Carrillo Jr., her sister Barbara Carrillo, her great nephew Orlando “Landito†Carrillo, her three sisters-in-law: Elvira Carrillo, Tonia Carrillo, Soledad Melendez and her in-laws, Jose and Theodora Valdez. A funeral mass was held on October 16, 2014 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, officiated by Father Saul Pacheco.
The burial followed at the Van Horn Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Isaac Valdez, Siali Siaosi, Kesomi Siaosi, Brad May, Orlando Carrillo, and Gabriel Valdez. Honorary Pallbearers were: Phillip Valdez, Samisoni Siaosi, and Ethan Valdez. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of Van Horn.to Heritage Funeral Home of Van Horn.
