Obituary of Estepfanan Zapata Martinez

Our beloved Estepfanan “Fannie” Zapata Martinez, age 91, was called Home to our Heavenly Father, on Sunday, February 21, 2021.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, of 37 years, Jimmie Vasquez Martinez; parents, Filiberto and Mariana Mata Zapata; daughter, Gloria Martinez; daughter-in-law, Erlinda “Linda” Martinez, siblings, Filiberto “Beto” Zapata Jr., Trinidad Zapata, Domingo Zapata, Gilbert “Weto” Zapata, Nora Sifuentes, and Priscilla Martinez.

Fannie is survived by her adoring children, Jimmy Martinez, Gilbert Martinez Sr. and his wife Mary, Mary Guadalupe “Lupe” Hernandez and her husband Javier, Manuel Martinez Sr., Domingo “Mingo” Martinez, Fred Martinez, and his wife Connie; grandchildren, Gloria Martinez and her husband Benny Lozano, Debbie Martinez Davila and her husband Jesse, Regina Martinez and fiancé Joseph, Gilbert Martinez Jr., Nicole Rodela and fiancé Marcos, Manuel Martinez Jr. and his wife Samantha, Stephanie Hernandez, Lauren Rosales and her husband Daniel, Anthony Martinez and his wife Tracy, Christina Ha and her husband Lee, Jessica Martinez, Matthew Martinez, and Kenny Martinez; 19 Great-grandchildren, and 8 Great-great-grandchildren; and, also, by her sisters, Pauline Zapata, Janie Zapata Rodriguez and Mary Zapata Magallanez; as well as numerous loving family members and friends.

Fannie’s legacy of doing for others and being Christ-like was a trait that she emulated in her own life and family. As a Lady of Charity, Fannie served for many years at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in downtown Austin. As a Lady of Charity, she possessed the charism of daily prayer and personal service to the poor. There, she provided for Austin’s most vulnerable populations, including serving breakfast for Austin’s homeless brothers and sisters, assisting those in need, being a friend to the outcast, and instilling a call to service in her own children and grandchildren. Through her direct actions, and the lessons that she instilled in her family, she made God known, loved, and served.

Serving as pallbearers are: Arturo Zapata, Fred Martinez, Joseph Herrera, Paul Martinez, Gilbert Martinez Jr., and Chris Lozano. Honorary pallbearers are: Regina Martinez and Jonathan Davila.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 3, 2021, with Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m., at Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel, 6204 South First St. Austin, TX 78745. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 4, 2021, at Saint Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, 126 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery.

Services will be live-streamed to allow those unable to attend to participate.  Follow link to Facebook Live Mission - South Side for the Rosary service. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed as well at the St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church website.

Due to the Coronavirus / COVID-19 Restrictions from the City of Austin,

capacity levels are restricted at funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries.

Each person entering the funeral home, church, and cemetery will be required to wear a mask

and to practice social distancing of 6 feet or more.   If you are ill or are concerned about the virus,

it is recommended that you not attend services.

The family is so grateful to everyone for their understanding, love, and support

during this very difficult time.

**Additionally, the immediate family asks that after the Funeral Mass, anyone who chooses to participate in the funeral procession escort to Assumption Cemetery to see Fannie to her final resting place, please remain in your vehicles if you are not her child or grandchild to respect the limitation of 30 people at the gravesite.**