Martha Reyes

Colonel Martha Reyes, 73, passed away on Monday, May 17, 2021. She was a retired Army colonel and from Taylor County Adult Probation Office. A funeral service will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Interment will follow in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

Martha was born May 4, 1948, in Karnes City, Texas, to Juan and Consuelo Ruiz. In 1968, Martha graduated from Runge High School and then attended The Mexican Baptist Bible institute and served as a missionary. After missionary school she attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and graduated with a master's degree. While in college she joined the Army ROTC and soon decided she would join the military after graduation. She joined the 490th Civil Affairs Co. of the Army Reserves in Abilene and served in many leadership positions. She was a liaison officer in six overseas assignments to German military forces, and served in Panama in 1990 and in Bosnia in 1997. She commanded the 486th CA Bn in Broken Arrow, OK in 2000-2001. Her many awards included two Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. Colonel Martha Ruiz Reyes retired from serving her country in the Army in 2002 after 29 years. Her civilian career was with the Taylor CSCD/Restitution Center from which she also finally retired for good after 25 years of service. Martha loved to sew and work in her yard and was the author of a book. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies and the 490th Civil Affairs organizations. Above all, Martha loved her family with all her heart and will be missed every day. Even in death Martha continued her generosity as an organ donor in efforts to continue to save others' lives.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Naomi Garza, David Ruiz, Ismael Ruiz, Israel Ruiz, and Mary Torres.

Martha is also survived by her bonus daughter, Jimie Moore; her bonus grandson, Kaiden Moore; her siblings, Esther Garza, Lidia Ruiz, Ramona Tagle, and Josue Ruiz; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved her dearly and many also followed to serve our country by her example.