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Martha Alice Zavala went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the age of 52. She born on September 5, 1970, in San Antonio, Texas to parents Isaias Alfaro Arroyo and Francisca Montoya Arroyo. Martha is survived by her beloved husband David Antonio Zavala; her mother Francisca Montoya Arroyo; stepdaughters Faith Zavala and Sarah Zavala; stepsons Jared Zavala and Robert Zavala; sister Linda Arroyo Evans; brothers Jesus Gabriel Arroyo and Isaias Arroyo, Jr; mother-in-law Belinda Zavala; sisters-in-law Vanessa Arroyo and Loretta Zavala; brothers-in-law Adam Zavala and Jason Evans along with other family members and friends. Martha was a very loving wife and Stepmother. Martha was not blessed with children of her own, but Martha was blessed with four stepchildren. She had the pleasure of watching them grow and in return, they grew to love her. There was not a thing that Martha would not do for them, she always made sure that they had everything they needed as a mother would. David Antonio Zavala: As a wife Martha always made sure I had everything, I needed Love, support, understanding, and forgiveness. We had so much in common are love for music, laughter, movies, and so much more. We worked as a team to get things done, we listened to each other’s our thoughts, hopes, fears and dreams. There was not a thing I would not do for her. Martha was a hard worker, she loved everything nice and neat and organized, which I loved about her. Martha was a simple woman never asking for the moon even though I tried to give it to her all she ever asks for from me was my love and I gladly gave it to her without hesitation. As I sit here writing these words about Martha, I know deep in my heart I am not doing her justice because she was more than the words, I say to you right now about her. Losing Martha is a very deep pain in my heart and soul are dreams, plans for our future are now gone as part of me was taking away with her. I will miss her beautiful smile and the sound of her laughter, and I will miss hearing the nickname she gave me which was Pookie she never called me David just Pookie. My beautiful sweetheart I will miss you so very much each and every day from the time I wake up In the morning, and when call me at lunch, and texting throughout the day to see how I’m doing, and when I come home from work to an empty house without you in it and until I fall to sleep and pray that you are in haven with god and waiting for me to join you one day. I love you, Martha. Your Pookie. Faith Zavala: Martha was in my life for about 10 years. She saw me and my sibling grow up. Martha always treated us very well and I will forever be grateful. She always made us feel special and that she cared about us a lot. Martha was a very thoughtful and giving person. She was always thinking of us and wanting what was best for us. I remember when she and my dad surprised us with season passes to Six Flags when we were younger, and we would all go together especially during the holiday season and always have a blast. When I think of Martha I often think of her laugh. She had a very distinct laugh, and she was always laughing so it is nice to remember her like that. When I think of her, I want to think of her in her best times when she was laughing, joking around, and being the caring person that she was. I wish that we could have had more time together and that she would have been there for our big milestones, but I believe that she will be watching over us and praying for us as we continue. I hope she knows that we miss her, but I am glad that she is now at peace and no longer hurting. Martha may you be at peace in heaven with God our Heavenly Father rejoicing and being the happiest, you have ever been. Robert Zavala: I am truly going to Miss Martha. She was always there for me whenever I got hurt or when I felt sad. She always looked after me and cared dearly for me. She always checked up on me and asked if I needed anything, which showed how much she loved me. Even if I did not have much to say, she would always try to spend time with me. When I played my games on the Xbox, she would come in, sit next to me, and ask what game I am playing. I pray she is at peace with Our God Jesus Christ and is welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven with open arms. Jared Zavala: Martha, a wife, and stepmother. Martha was a kind and loving woman. From the day we met her, all the way to her tragic passing, she treated us with nothing but kindness and generosity. Always going above and beyond to make us feel loved and cared for. Her smile and laughter are what I remember the most about her. I remember when we would all sit together at the dinner table and watch a movie together. Talking and laughing about silly little stories that happened between our visits. She would happily listen to our rants about the events that would take place in our day-to-day lives. She would even give advice to help us better deal with such events. Martha and our father would also plan family outings that they knew would create memories that would last us a lifetime. She was such a caring woman. Martha was also a very hard-working woman. You could hardly find her sitting down. She was always up and about, cleaning and tending to all the house’s needs. Washing, dusting, and mopping was just the surface of the things she did. And when she was not cleaning, she was checking in on us and making sure we were okay. She was such a caring woman. That is why it was so gut wrenching when we discovered that she had stage 4-stomach cancer. It felt so unreal by how unexpected her diagnosis was. We constantly prayed for her recovery, but it just was not in Gods will. With heavy hearts, we will mourn the loss of our stepmother and continue to pray for her so that she will be with God in heaven and be at peace for all eternity. Sarah Zavala: How can I put into words the kindness of my stepmother Martha? She always cared about the people around her, putting us before herself. For the short time I lived with my dad and Martha, she would always take care of me when I wasn't feeling good and was always so loving. She always made the house feel like a home, and I will miss that feeling of warmth and light she brought. Not once was she ever mean to me or my siblings, and for that, I am grateful. I always hear of people having a mean stepmother and always thought to myself, "Not mine." She loved us, and we love her. I hope to carry her kindness with me wherever I go and never forget what her love for me feels like. I will miss you dearly, mom, until I see you again someday. Martha will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church with a funeral procession to depart the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Mission Burial Park South.

Tributes

Martha Alice Zavala

September 5, 1970 - April 30, 2023