Obituary of Josephine Arroyo Martinez

Josephine A. Martinez passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 24, 2022, in Austin, Texas, at the age of 67.

Josie was born in McAllen, Texas, on January 9, 1955, to Johnny and Henrietta Martinez.  Johnny and Henrietta had three children, Josie, John, & Olga.  Johnny passed when Josie was three years old.  Her mother married Atilano Arroyo, the man Josie would know as Dad most of her life, in 1962.  Atilano and Henrietta had two more children, Sandra and Robert.   Josie’s mother passed in 1967 when Josie was 10 years old.  Josie’s Dad, Atilano, married Olga Garza in 1967 and she became Mom to Josie and her 4 siblings. Josie and her biological siblings were adopted by Atilano and Olga Arroyo in 1968.  Atilano and Olga had two more children, JR and Jaime.  The Arroyo sibling clan of 7 was official, Josie, John, Olga, Sandra, Robert, JR, Jaime.

Josie went to Elementary school at T.A. Brown for 1^st through 4th grades.  She then went to Brentwood Elementary for 5^th and 6^th grades.  After that she went to Lamar Jr. High, then to McCallum High School graduating in 1973. 

After high school Josie continued her education at Austin Community College receiving her Associates Degree.  Josie’s career included working at IRS and a civil service job that allowed her to work overseas in Germany.  It was in Germany where her children Ramon Martinez III and Amanda were born.  After 4 ½ years she returned to the United States and lived in Louisiana where Melissa was born. Her career then brought her back to Austin where she dutifully served our country working at Camp Mabry until her retirement in April 2018.

Josie’s life revolved around her children and grandchildren, Vanessa, and Anabelle. 

Some of Josie’s favorite pastimes included watching scary movies, playing BINGO, and enjoying meals with friends and family at Mexican restaurants. You could often find her spending time at North Austin Optimist (NAO) keeping score, working the concession stand, or in the stands cheering on her son and granddaughter as they played baseball. Josie always enjoyed quality time with her family at poker nights or Casa Rio & Easter reunions. In recent years she found joy and relaxation with manicures and the local Senior recreation center.

Josie leaves behind her greatest legacy, her family.  Family was the highlight of her life. Her children Ramon Martinez III and his wife Mary, Amanda Martinez, and Melissa Martinez; grandchildren Vanessa and Anabelle.  She also leaves behind her siblings; Olga Henson and husband Roy, Sandra Escobar, Robert Arroyo and wife Tina, Atilano Arroyo, Jr, and Debbie Arroyo.  There are also numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins that were blessed to have shared her amazing life.

Josie was preceded in death by her biological parents, Johnny Martinez, Henrietta Arroyo; her adoptive parents Atilano Arroyo and Olga Arroyo; and her brothers, John, and Jaime Arroyo.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. with a Prayer Services beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at Austin Peel and Son Funeral Home, 607 E. Anderson Ln., Austin, Texas, 78752. Interment will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 7, 2022 at Cook Walden Capital Parks Cemetery.