Manuela "Nelly" Martinez passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at UTMB Hospital surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness.  She was born in Veracruz, Mexico on December 13, 1935, to Regino and Guadalupe Barrios.  Manuela had been a longtime resident of Galveston for over 50 years.  One of Manuela's greatest gifts and passions was that she was an extraordinary cook.  She got tremendous joy from cooking for her children, grandchildren and friends that visited her.  Manuela worked for 20 years for Food and Nutrition at Central Middle School.  Upon her retirement she enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and continuing to cook for them all their favorite meals.

Manuela is preceded in death by her husband Martin Martinez Villarreal and her son Heriberto Gutierrez.

Manuela is survived by her children:  Martin Martinez and wife Gina, Yolanda Martinez, Beatriz Rodriguez and husband Luis, and Rosa Martinez Velazquez and husband Carlos. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jose Matinez (Mayra), Sergio Martinez (Laura), and Saul Martinez (Katherine); Mariela Martinez (Jose); Samantha Garay (Felix); Adrian, Carlos and Jesus Velazquez; Ariana and Luis Rodriguez Jr; and Bertha, Heriberto Jr and Lee Gutierrez.  She is also survived by her great granddaughters Lorena and Selena Martinez, and Emery Garay.

Visitation will be held 5:00pm until 8:00pm Monday, April 22 at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home in Galveston with a Rosary at 6:30pm.  The funeral mass will be held 10:00am Tuesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.  Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Galveston.