Maria Martinez

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 19, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for Maria Lerma Fuentes Martínez of Artesia, New Mexico.

David Morrison will officiate at the services with burial to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Miguel Martinez Jr., Dylon Fierro, Aaron Aguirre, Victor Madrid, Antonio Fuentes Jr, and Jeremy Fuentes. Honorary pallbearers all of her sons, brother and her nephew Daniel Rodriguez.

Visitation will be held at the Terpening & Son Mortuary Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 4:00p.m.- 6:00p.m.

Maria was on born January 1, 1951, in Indio, California, to Victor Aguilar Fuentes and Rosa Lerma Fuentes.

In the 1960s, Maria moved to Artesia, New Mexico. In 1975, she married the love of her life, Jose Adrian Martinez. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised their four sons of all Artesia.

Maria was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed crafting and lovingly made blankets for her grandchildren. She found joy in tending her garden, cheering for the Artesia Bulldogs, and listening to the band play her favorite songs. Maria is known for her laughter, wisdom, and vibrant personality. Maria was truly the glue of her family. Her greatest accomplishment was the legacy of love and strength she leaves behind.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Jose Adrian Martinez; her brothers Antonio Fuentes and Joe Fuentes; her brother-in-law Victor Madrid and her granddaughter Miranda Greene and Bodie.

She is survived by her sons Jose Adrian Reyes Martinez Jr. (Chris), Herman Martinez and Terri Jimenez, Miguel Martinez and wife Shelly and Rogelio Martinez; her beloved grandchildren Kyla Fierro and husband Dylon, Kali Martinez and husband Aaron Aguirre, Michelle Greene, Miguel Martinez Jr., Kara Martinez, Jasmine Martinez, JosephJimenez, Cassie Jimenez, Michael Jimenez, Bryan Jimenez, Amber, TK, and Brandon. Her precious great-grandchildren Oriah Fierro, Mekiella Aguirre, Dylon Fierro Jr., Octavia Fierro, Meziah Aguirre, and Marelly Ann Aguirre.

She was also survived by her sisters Rose Madrid, Viola Fuentes-Maruyama, Olga Carter, Elba McDonald and husband Selenhongva, sister-n-law Maryjane Fuentes and brother Hector Fuentes and wife Andrea.

Maria's legacy will live on in the hearts of her family and all who were blessed to know her.