June West Martin

June (West) Martin age 89 of Riviera, Texas passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024. She was born February 23, 1935, in Kingsville, Texas to Nedra Naylor West and Frank West. 

In 1951, at the age of 16, June graduated as the Salutatorian of her class from Riviera High School. She was very proud that she had skipped two grades. Throughout her years at Riviera High School, she was Class President, Vice President and Sec./Treasurer of her classes. In addition, she was a cheerleader, a volleyball player, a member of the Student Council, a member of the Future Homemaker’s 4-H club, and business manager of the annual staff. She was voted FFA Sweetheart, Prettiest, and Most Popular. 

 June earned a music scholarship to Texas A&I University in Kingsville, but as fate would have it she met a handsome young Navy Sailor from Virginia while he was stationed in the Navy at Site 55 at Riviera Beach. June’s best friend introduced this handsome sailor to June, who just happened to be milking a cow at the time. On their first date Wilson Martin pulled up in his convertible and June decided to put her feet on the dashboard, Wilson was not happy and politely asked her to remove them. June and Wilson Martin fell in love and married on November 22, 1952 in Pocomoke City, Maryland. They were married for 62 years.

Although mother was able to be a stay at home mom of five children, she kept the books for Wilson’s oilfield businesses. She worked for the Mercantile National Bank in Kingsville, substituted at Riviera ISD, and still found time to be an active member of the PTA for years. Mother loved music and could play the piano beautifully. Later in life she took music classes at Texas A&I Kingsville. She counted it a blessing to play the piano for the Riviera Baptist Church. She instilled the love of the piano into her children. During the 70s and 80s mother also took up selling Mary Kay cosmetics. She and daddy were supporters of the Kleberg Kenedy County Jr. Livestock Show. June was a devoted and proud supporter of her children’s athletic, academic, FFA, and 4-H activities.

Mother was a beautiful and talented seamstress. She made most of her daughter’s clothes while she was growing up. She made cheerleader uniforms for the Riviera Cheerleaders. As she grew older and her kids were leaving home, mother started making quilts. She would sit on her couch and sew every evening. She has left her children a wonderful legacy of quilts.

The most wonderful gift that mother instilled in her children, her nieces, and her nephews was the Love of the God. She had us memorize scriptures, taught us the Bible, and how to pray. She was always quoting scriptures. Mother would always tell us that “our reward is in heaven.” Mother is now reaping all of her rewards.

June was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Wilson Martin. She is also preceded in death by her parents Frank and Nedra West, her brother, Johnny West, her brother-in-law Edwin Martin, sisters-in-law, Ethel West, Ruth West, Barbara Martin, Emma Jean Hawthorn, and her mother and father-in-law, Parson and Inez Martin. 

She is survived by her children: Sandra (Jim) Brownrigg, Terry (Meghan) Martin, Kelly Martin, Guy (Donna Quesada) Martin, and Will (Debbie Robinson) Martin. She is also survived by her brother Carroll West, and her brother-in-law Jerry Martin. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Blaine Brownrigg, Kelsey Brownrigg, Cameron (Vanessa) Martin, Garrett (Elizabeth) Martin, and Gavin Martin plus her great grandchildren, Ryland and Lillian Martin. 

Her nieces and nephews were very special to her as she helped raise them, Cydne (Bob) Reynolds, Coby West, Craig (Lisa) West, Carla West, Cathy (Nathan) Borden, Christi (Doug) Griffith, Julie Martin, Michelle (Gregg) Ruben, Bob (Janice) Martin, numerous great nephews and nieces, and great great nieces and nephews.

The Martin family would like to thank the wonderful people at Devoted Healthcare and Hospice in Calallen; Jamie, Elizabeth, Teresa, Aurelia, Macy and Steve. The family also thanks the staff at Caraday of Corpus Christi Nursing and Assisted Living, and the staff at The Waterford of Corpus Christi, especially Mary, Tracy, Connie, Maria, Sonia, and Noe.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice in June's name.

Arrangements will be provided by Sawyer George Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held at the Methodist Church in Riviera located at 231 E. Cypress Ave, Riviera Tx. on December 29, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. A reception will be held immediately after at the Erma Center located at 306 E Cypress, Riviera Tx. Burial will be on December 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Costal Bend Veterans Cemetery 9974 I-37 Corpus Christi, Tx.