Josefina Gonzalez Martinez

Josefina Gonzalez Martinez, endeared by all as “Josie”, passed away peacefully at her home southeast of Altus, Oklahoma on Monday, February 17, 2025. The family will greet friends from 2:00 – 5:00 PM on Sunday, February 23rd. Services will be at 2:00 PM on Monday, February 24th at First Methodist Church in Altus with Reverend Jerry Raab officiating. 

Josie was born on November 14, 1940, in Belén del Refugio, Jalisco, Mexico to Macario Gonzalez and Agapita Mota. She was raised in Mexico until her family relocated to south Texas. One of six siblings, Josie, knew the value of family relationships at an early age. She married her true love, Ignacio Garcia Martinez on September 23, 1962, in Reynosa, Mexico. They shared 62 years together, raising five children in a home full of laughter and love. Early in their marriage they moved to southwest Oklahoma where Ignacio farmed, and Josie took care of their home. 

It was always important to Josie that her children were raised in a home that was secure, not just financially, but in relationship to each other. She always strived to ensure her children had more in their formative years than she did. There was always an adventure to be had and games to be played with Josie around. Her tiny stature did not diminish the magnitude of her love for her beloved Ignacio or her children.

As an adult, Josie became a United States Citizen in 1996, an accomplishment she worked tirelessly at until successful. She made exceptional tamales and loved working in her vegetable and flower gardens. She enjoyed shopping and going out to eat as well as signing in the choir of their Mexican church. Josie carried on the tradition of watching old western TV shows and Perry Mason for three months and three days after the passing of her beloved Ignacio. But her most treasured adventures were when her family were gathered in one place. She loved the togetherness of everyone in her home. 

Josie’s husband, Ignacio; and her parents, Macario and Agapita preceded her in death. Her spitfire, bigger than life personality will be missed by those that survive her – children, Juanita Burch, Bessie Martinez Ensign and husband, Joel, Steven Burch, Ignacio Martinez Jr. and wife, Veronica, and Angel Martinez and wife, Deanna; grandchildren, Eliza Burch Ruttle and husband, Raymond, Brittany Ensign, Nick Ensign, Janet Duke and husband, DJ, Veronica Soni and husband, Christian, Rosita Henson and husband, Dylan, Samantha Martinez, and Andrew Mayabb; great-grandchildren, Leland Duke, CJ Duke, Isaac Soni, Kathy Soni, Aubree Duke, and Ulisses Soni; siblings, Juan, Macario, Cristina, Chino, and Longina Gonzalez Mota; as well as many extended friends and family.

Online tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com. The service livestream may be seen at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0MDAxMjEyODM1MDcxMyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==.