Carmen “Carmelita” (Avila) Elizarraras

Carmen “Carmelita” (Avila) Elizarraras
Age: 85
Died: Sunday, December 11, 2016 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas
Born: May 5, 1931 in Garden City, Kansas
Parents: Jesus & Marie (Rodriguez) Avila
Marriages: To David P. Martinez in Garden City, Kansas. He died March 4, 1998,
To Raul Elizarraras in Garden City, Kansas. He died November 2013

Membership: First Assembly of God Garden City, Kansas

Carmen was born and raised in Garden City, but had lived in Dodge City and Texas in her later years. She had worked as a candy striper and CNA for a nursing home and St. Catherine Hospital. Her biggest love and talent was cooking. She and her family owned and operated the first Mexican Restaurant in Finney County in 1965. Carmelita’s #1 and #2 were great places for sharing food and fellowship. She was an avid and devout bible reader. Her family continues to revisit her faithfulness by following her notes in her weathered bible. Other hobbies included spending time with her children, grandchildren, and extended family and gardening.

She was preceded in Death by her parents, children- David Daryl Martinez, Sherry Lynn Martinez, Actor Emilio Martinez, & Janelle Cheek; Siblings- Joe Avila, Jessie Avila, Ignacio “Buck” Avila, Connie Martinez, Dora Trevino & Emilio Avila.

Survivors: 

Children: Paul M. (Mary ) Martinez Garden City, KS
Eugene E. (Deanna) Martinez Garden City, KS
Michael Todd Martinez Denver CO
Sandra Martinez Colorado
Shelly (Juan) Arteaga Garden City, KS 
Sister: Amelia Perez Dallas, TX 
32 Grandchildren
Numerous Great Grandchildren

Funeral Service: 10:00 AM Thursday, December 15, 2016
Place: First Assembly of God, 702 Campus, Garden City, KS 67846
Officiating: Pastor Nathan Sheridan
Burial: Valley View Cemetery
Memorials: Carmen R. Elizarraras Memorial Fund
Calling Hours: Wednesday December 14, 2016 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. at
Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N 7th S