Dorothy Lorena Carson Martinez

Dorothy Lorena Carson Martinez of Mandeville, LA entered eternal paradise on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 in the peaceful presence of her son and granddaughter. She was born on July 16, 1927 in Mount Hermon, LA to the late Otto and Minerva (Dykes) Carson and was the sister of Faye Carson Westfall (deceased), John Wilbur Carson (deceased), Gwendolyn Carson Ruffino, Wendell “Buster” Carson (deceased), Felder “Speedy” Carson (deceased), Jerlean “Dot” Carson Riley, Bettie Rae Carson Bermudez, and Garbon Ann Carson Waguespack. Dorothy is survived by four of her five children, Janice D. Calvert (Mont), Michael A. Martinez, Mark Martinez and John W. Martinez (Angela); and four grandchildren, Heather Calvert, Melissa Calvert Liddy (Nevin), Megan Martinez, and Brandon Martinez. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Earl Anthony Martinez, and her son of 13 years, Earl L. Martinez. Although she was a devoted wife and loving mother to all of her children, Dorothy’s greatest joy and privilege was the gift of her beloved Michael – divinely entrusted to, and accepted into, her earthly stewardship without hesitancy or reservation. To love and care for Michael was to love and care for Dorothy – an honor and responsibility that only the inevitability of advanced age could wrestle from her and her husband, Earl. When she wasn’t doting on Michael, “Miss Dot” was building upon her legend with neighborhood children and mail carriers alike by serving the best hand-scraped snowballs that 15 cents could buy, although no outstretched hand ever went unrewarded. Her genuineness was self-evident throughout her life and brought an array of deep and lasting friendships from all quarters, none more notable than her beloved sister, Bettie Rae, and her dearest and most loyal of friends, Sharon Drake. In her later years, she developed a deep and lasting bond with her son, Mark, with whom she resided for 8 years after the loss of her home from Hurricane Katrina. The family would like to like to recognize and extend its appreciation on her behalf to Michael’s numerous caretakers at W.I. Moore (Violet, LA), and Options, Inc. (Hammond, LA) over the last 20 years who have lovingly assumed responsibility for Michael’s care, and particularly, Trina Miller, who loved and laughed with Michael and Dorothy for over 15 years. Special thanks is also extended to Dorothy’s home health nurses and physical therapists with Apex Home Health, Stat Home Health, and St. Joseph Hospice, as well as her personal caretakers, Vera Traina and Maggie Frazier, in her final years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte St., Mandeville, LA 70448 on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 11:30 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Private interment will be held at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, New Orleans, LA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Dorothy Martinez to be made to Options, Inc. 19362 W. Shelton Rd., Hammond, LA 70401, https://options4u.org/donate/. Please sign the E.J. Fielding Funeral Home online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

Dorothy Lorena Carson Martinez

July 16, 1927 - January 30, 2019