Kelly Christine O’Niel Martinez, 55, of Houston/Clear Lake, Texas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 25, 2023, at 1:34 p.m. surrounded by her loved ones.
Kelly was born on December 19,1967 to LaQuetta Ann Szenasi O’Niel and Daniel Mark O’Niel in Tulsa, Okla. After Kelly graduated from Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas, she pursued a degree in Recreational Therapy at University of North Texas. Kelly spent much of her professional career as a Director of Activities and Resident Programs for Senior Living and Family Communities
Recently, she had been working in a dental office as a recare appointment coordinator.
Kelly’s compassion and kindness was overwhelming, and she was always ready to volunteer her time and devote her heart to her many pursuits, which included loving family, friends, and coworkers. Many lives have been deeply touched by her.
In 1999, Kelly met Cecilio Martinez while working at Bering Omega Community Services. They dated three months before they married. When you know, you know, is what they said. Happily married for 23 years. Kelly and Cecilio have been faithful members of Clear Lake Bible Church since 2002.
In her spare time, she enjoyed square dancing with the Friendswood, Texas Hanger Squares Club. She loved to cook, entertain, organize, card craft, do all kinds of crafts, research for camping trips they took, along with playing games of all kinds which she learned from her stepdad, Rick Morton.
She fought a valiant battle after receiving a heart and liver transplant. Kelly had suffered with a congenital heart disease all her life and fought so hard for the transplants so she could live a healthy life.
Her fun-loving personality and devotion to her family and friends will always be remembered. Kelly was deeply committed to her faith and showed she was a true child of God in heart, spirit, and life’s work.
Kelly was predeceased by her father, Daniel Mark O’Niel; stepfather Rick Morton; maternal grandparents, Mary and Bud Szenasi; paternal grandparents, Patricia (Pat) O’Niel, Jerry and Eleanor O’Niel; grandparents, Marie and John B. Morton Sr.; great paternal grandparents, Ella (Little Gran) and John Lindsey and Uncle Bob Szenasi.
She is survived by her husband, Cecilio Martinez; mother, LaQuetta Szenasi Morton; brother Tim O’Niel; aunts and uncles Paula and Mike O’Niel, Jeri Ann and Jerry Lee Jones and Mary Ball and John Morton Jr.; mother-in-law, Josefi na Martinez; father-in-law, Perfecto Martinez; brothers-in-law, Augustin, Alejandro, Panfi lo, Enrique, Estevan, Edgar, Felipe, and Martin; sisters in-law, Benita, Silvia, Julia, and Guillermina; cousins, Dana Jones Probert, Melissa Jones Bell, Jennifer O’Niel Milroy, Jeff Davis, Bobby Joe Szenasi and Natasha Szenasi Kendrix; many nieces, nephews, and loving friends. Kelly had a very close bond with all her friend’s children. She was known as “Tia Kelly”
There was a Celebration of Kelly’s life on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Clear Lake Bible Church in Houston, Texas. For those who were unable to attend, go to Clear Lake Bible Church website, click on the live-stream link and the service will be there
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.
There will be a Celebration of Kelly’s Life on Saturday, June 17,2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Little Law Firm located at 202 W. Lillie Blvd. in Madill, Okla. Please join the family in something bright to celebrate Kelly’s Life. Pink was her favorite color. Services will be under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com.