Sara Belia Martinez

Sara Belia Martinez, 76, of Pampa, died January 6, 2015. Vigil Services will be at 6:00 p.m. Friday, January 9th, 2015 at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 10th, 2015 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Rev. Christopher Schwind, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Martinez was born on December 17, 1938 in Brackettville, Texas. In 1957, she married Demetrio Martinez, Jr. and moved to Pampa. The couple was blessed with three beautiful children. She was a bold entrepreneur. At a time when few businesses were owned by women or minorities, she opened her own drapery business (Sara’s Draperies and Interior Design) in Pampa. She was the author of “The Art of Home Décor,” a weekly advice column featured in The Pampa News, and she hosted a local Spanish-speaking radio show featuring Latin music by request. She was the first Hispanic female radio DJ personality in Pampa. She was not afraid to try her hand at new things and take risks. In her later years, Sara worked at Genesis House in Pampa, a low cost home care facility for troubled teens who were receiving treatment for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and other life skill therapies and education. Sara had a passion for rehabilitating properties. Her last property was a century-old home which was her dream home in Pampa. In her spare time she absolutely loved the thrill of haggling for interesting finds she would discover at garage sales. She was a member of St Vincent de Paul Parish in Pampa for more than 50 years. In her work and by her faith she touched many lives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Simón Martinez and Manuelita Martinez; her husband Demetrio Martinez, Jr., her three brothers, Jose K. Martinez, and Lupe Martinez, of Pampa, Texas and Simon Martinez Jr, of Tulia, Texas. Survivors include two daughters, Maria Rios and husband Joe Rios of Amarillo, and Cynthia Smith and husband Mackal Smith of St. Louis, Missouri; one son, Demetrio Martinez III and wife Dana Martinez of Amarillo; one sister, Alice Hernandez of Plainview; and one brother, Juan Martinez of Hart; 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.