Imelda G. Martinez

Mrs. Imelda G. Martinez, 98, joined our Lord in His heavenly kingdom on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Mrs. Imelda G. Martinez aspired to become a nurse from early childhood when she saw how nurses at a hospital cared for the sick. This became her unwavering passion that she would pursue. After graduating from Martin High School in 1944, she attended the Robert B. Green Memorial Hospital of Nursing in San Antonio and became a licensed Registered Nurse (R.N.). Her plans were to join the Navy after serving as a Cadet Nurse but her career took a turn when she married and returned to Laredo. She began work as an R.N. at Laredo Mercy Hospital and subsequently worked at Laredo Health Dept., Laredo Independent School District and Retama Nursing Home over a 50-year career. During this time period, she also went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing from Corpus Christi State University at Laredo, now known as Texas A&M University, all while working full time and raising a family. She was truly an inspiration who cared deeply and was a loving mother and a dedicated nurse.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Brian Collins; her parents, Romulo and Juanita Garcia; her siblings, Gustavo Garcia, and Gloria Garcia.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Linda (Pedro) Cadena, Jr., Gabriel (San Juana) Martinez, and Ana (Jose M.) Villarreal; her grandchildren, Saul B. Cadena, Judith A. Cadena, Melissa Martinez, Jessica Martinez, and Steven Collins; as well as extended loving relatives and friends.

All services will be held privately at the request of the family.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, Texas 78040;