Obituary of Maria Martin

Graveside services for Maria J. Martin, 73, of Lovington, NM will be held on Friday, May 8, 2020 at 2:00 pm at Resthaven Cemetery with Father Samuel Ameh officiating. Ms. Martin was born in El Paso, TX on May 31, 1946 to Julio and Jesusa (Hernandez) Espinoza and passed away at her home on May 5, 2020. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home. Maria grew up in Lovington and graduated at LHS. While in high school she worked at B & J Drug at the soda fountain. She was also employed in later years at Levi Strauss factory for about ten years and then was a correctional officer for Lea County Detention Facility for twenty plus years. She met her husband while they were both correctional officers and they married March 1, 1995 in Las Vegas, NV. Maria enjoyed going to the casinos and traveling with her husband to his work site in San Angelo. She attended St. Thomas Catholic Church. She was an avid garage sale person and was a very independent lady with a quirky sense of humor. She loved her family and had two very special pets, her dogs, Bubbles and Squeaky. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband: Dan Martin; one brother: Pete Espinoza; and one sister: Adiana Rodriguez and also, one grandson: Anthony C. Espinosa. Surviving her are two daughters:: Maria Carmen Espinosa of El Paso, TX and Corina and husband Hector Sandoval of Lovington, NM; two stepsons: Tony Martin and Christopher Martin both of San Angelo, TX; four brothers: Reyes and wife Irma Espinoza, Julio and wife Emma Espinoza, Joe Espinoza all of Lovington and Lorenzo and wife Evelyn Espinoza of Alabama; two sisters: Rosa Espinoza and Anita and husband John Escabedo of Huntsville, TX; four grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 7th from 3:00 - 6:00 pm at the funeral home. Please remember only five at one time may come inside for visitation at this time.