Romona Martinez

Romona Carter Martinez, 76, was born into eternal life on Saturday, June 13, 2015, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Romona was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, on March 21, 1939. She graduated from Bogalusa High School, and soon moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to attend Spencer Business College.

While she was a student in business school, she met her sweetheart, Russell Joseph Martinez, Jr. The two were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge in 1961, and have been members there ever since. Romona worked in banking, pausing her career for full-time motherhood, and continuing after the children were grown until she retired in 1995. Married 54 years, Romona and Russell lived in Central, Louisiana, where they raised their three daughters.

Romona was an adoring and deeply grateful mother and grandmother. She loved and treasured her daughters, and found great joy in the close relationships she shared with them. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life, and she was their fun-loving playmate, helping them put together puzzles, reading, gardening, and, perhaps her favorite activity, shopping with them and indulging her own generous impulses.

She was a devoted and loving wife, and an enthusiastic fitness partner, going with husband Russell to the gym every day to work out. He knew her as a tireless and loyal companion and friend, his one true love.

Romona was an attentive and joyful friend to the many people who knew her. She was an active member of the women's study group, "Circle 2," at First Presbyterian Church. She participated in the group's monthly get-togethers, and, as the women took turns hosting in their homes, she took pleasure in both giving and receiving hospitality.

She was outgoing, intelligent, funny, thoughtful and an expert at making people feel at ease. She habitually put the needs of her family and friends ahead of her own, and did so with grace. She had a rich and satisfying life that filled her with gratitude. As she meets her Lord in heaven, her first words will surely be, "Thank you so much!"

She is survived by her husband, Russell; three daughters and their spouses - Sharon and Ross Keating of Woodstock, Georgia; Susie and Rodney Accardo of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Stacy and Ray Andrus of League City, Texas. She also leaves seven grandchildren - Candace Carroll, Hannah Wagner, Chandler Accardo, Sawyer Accardo, Middleton Mitchum, Hamilton Mitchum and R.J. Andrus; two great-grandchildren - Archer Carroll and Keating Carroll; and her cherished little dog, Zeke.

Romona is preceded in death by her mother, Pearlie Carter Hall, and stepfather, James Hall; and by her uncle and aunt who raised her, Marvin and Docia Stevens.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 15, 2015 at Resthaven Funeral Home, 1187 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA from 5 pm to 8 pm. Visitation hours will resume on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 from 9am to 11am.

Funeral Services will be held following visitation at 11 am in Resthaven's Chapel. Rev. Dick Gates will be officiating the services.

Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

The family would like to thank Jackie Miles, Romona's skilled and compassionate caregiver, and Dr. John M. Lyons III, her surgical oncologist, who gave her outstanding care in every way.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.

Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Monday, June 15, 2015
5 pm - 8 pm

Service

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
9 am - 11 am

Funeral Service

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
11 am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816