Aquilino “Ackey” Martinez, 59, of Brownfield, Texas entered the gates of Heaven, Saturday June 11, 2016.
He was born July 3, 1956, to Wilbur “Red” and Lena Sherrell in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He married “his Love,” Lajauna Wimberly, on February 4, 1978 in their hometown of Hobbs, NM.
Ackey graduated from Hobbs High School in 1975. He attended Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, Mexico where he was a punter on the collegiate football team. He later attended Eastern New Mexico University and graduated in 1995. Ackey worked as a drilling fluid engineer until surrendering to full-time ministry. He ministered to students across New Mexico in Hobbs, Lovington, Gallup, Artesia, and finally Brownfield, TX before retiring in Nov. 2014.
Ackey loved listening to music, especially Adele, watching and playing football, golf and just about any sport. Although, his true passion was ministering to teenagers. He loved God, loved his family and loved the youth he ministered to over his lifetime. His smile was infectious and he was quick with a word of encouragement and humor for those who needed it.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but especially his wife Lajuana and his children Adrian Marie Martinez of Hobbs, NM; Christopher Lloyd Martinez and wife, Taelor Grace Martinez of Watauga, TX. He is also survived by his aunts, an uncle, nephews, a niece and many cousins. Ackey was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Monica Cervantes.
A very special thank you to those who have supported, encouraged and stood by us during his illness.
A memorial service celebrating Ackey’s life will be held at First Baptist Church of Hobbs, NM on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 2 p.m. MDT.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 15, 2016 from 2-6 p.m MDT at Chapel of Hope in Hobbs, NM. The Martinez family will be in attendance from 4-6 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting on Ackey’s behalf that donations be sent to either Sivells Baptist Camp of New Mexico (Sivells, c/o Sam Swann, Baptist Convention of New Mexico, PO Box 94485, Albuquerque, NM, 87199-4485) or Plains Baptist Assembly of Texas (www.pbacamp.org). Both were very special to Ackey and his family.
