Martha Jean (Jarvis) Gimenez, 86, of Lead Hill, left this world for her heavenly home on Sunday, Sept. 12 (2021) at her home.
Martha was born on Dec. 30, 1934, to John Jennings and Mildred Marie Penix Jarvis. Martha graduated Lead Hill High School and shortly after joined the Women’s Army Corps where she met her husband, Del Gimenez, while trying to find a home for a dog. Del was the love of her life, and they were married for 64 years. Martha and Del lived all around the United States and in Germany while serving their county and would eventually return to Lead Hill to raise their boys on the farm. Martha worked at Burtchell’s Variety Store and Lead Hill School but was proudest of being a homemaker. Martha was an active member of Southside Baptist Church serving as a GA leader, WMU member and any roles that were needed. Martha was a member of the Gideons and American Legion. She would later become a member of First Baptist Church of Lead Hill. Martha was proudest of her family and always putting others first. Many times, Martha could be found making a meal or serving others anyway she could. Many Sunday and holiday meals were served in Martha and Del’s home. She loved sitting on her porch and watching the birds. Martha was an avid traveler and went on many trips. Martha held a big garage sale twice a year (once the FBI came). She was always recusing dogs and in the last few years was never far from her dog, Buddy. Martha was loved and will be missed by many family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, L. D. “Del” Gimenez; and a daughter-in-law, Debbie Gimenez.
Martha is survived by three sons, Gregory (Tammie) Gimenez of Lead Hill, Steven (late Debbie) Gimenez of Springfield, Missouri, and John Gimenez of Boone, Iowa; five grandchildren, Katherine (Austin) Chlapecka of Brookland, Harrison (Sidney) Gimenez of Harrison, Delaney Gimenez of Missouri City, Texas, Chelsea (Andrew) Milledge of Leander, Texas, and Lauren Bishop of Leander, Texas; five great-grandsons, Jack Chlapecka, Holden Gimenez, Hudson and Maverick Milledge and Tucker Goebel; her sister, Mary Jane Hunter of Lead Hill; and special nieces, Karen (Randy) Curtis and Allawayne Hunter.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the House of Prayer (formerly Southside Baptist Church) at Lead Hill, with Steve Gimenez officiating. Burial will be in Milum Cemetery at Lead Hill under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.
Pallbearers will be Harrison Gimenez, Austin Chlapecka, Zane Kamenetski, Blake Curtis, Scot Spurlock, and Tadd Andreson.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Milum Cemetery, Post Office Box 302, Lead Hill, Arkansas, 72644 or the Gideons International.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.HoltChapel.com.
