Kimberley Martin, lovingly known as “Kiki” by her granddaughter Ava, lived 70 beautiful years of life, filled with love, strength, and devotion to her family. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 7th in Corpus Christi, Texas, surrounded by her dearest loved ones. She was born on January 28th, 1956, at Spohn Shoreline Hospital in Corpus Christi and was raised on Santa Fe Street across from Lamar Park, a place that remained close to her heart throughout her life.

Kimberley began her early education at St. Luke’s Methodist Church before attending Robert Wilson Elementary and Hamlin Middle School. She later graduated from W.B. Ray High School in 1974. She continued her education at Trinity University in San Antonio, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a focus on Hearing Impaired and Special Education. She loved her time in San Antonio, both during her college years and while teaching, and formed many cherished memories there. She especially enjoyed late nights at Mi Tierra Café, which was once open 24 hours, where one of her favorite treats was their pralines. She later returned to Trinity University, where she earned her Master of Business Administration degree in 1983, reflecting both her ambition and her desire to grow professionally.

Following her graduation, she taught for two years in the San Antonio Independent School District at Deetrick Elementary, the regional school for the deaf, where her compassion and dedication made a meaningful impact.

After receiving her MBA, Kimberley worked for Foley’s as a group sales manager in the hardware department for nine months. She then became a sales representative for Scantron, where she worked from September 1985 until January 1, 1991. Her role allowed her to travel extensively, something she truly loved.

After the birth of her daughter, Kimberley returned to teaching in Corpus Christi, choosing a path that allowed her to be present as a devoted single mother. The school schedule gave her the invaluable gift of time—days from 8 to 3 and summers off—to care for and raise her daughter. She began teaching at Lozano Elementary in January 1991 and continued there for seven years. During that time, she worked under Principal Faye Webb, whom she deeply admired and respected throughout her career.

During these years, Kimberley demonstrated extraordinary strength and resilience as a two-time breast cancer survivor. First diagnosed in 1996, and again in 1999, she endured chemotherapy and radiation treatments while continuing to raise her young daughter, who was between the ages of six and nine at the time. Through it all, she remained steadfast, loving, and devoted—an example of courage and determination that will never be forgotten.

Kimberley continued her career in education at Allan Elementary, Roe Shaw Elementary, Sanders Elementary, and Montclair Elementary, where she served as an adaptive education teacher. She had a special place in her heart for her students, embracing those smaller classes and loving each child as her own. She dedicated many years to shaping young lives before retiring from Montclair Elementary in 2013 due to health concerns following a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Though her retirement came earlier than expected, it was also a blessing, as she had earned enough years with CCISD to receive the insurance benefits she had faithfully paid into for nine years.

In the years that followed, Kimberley faced ongoing health challenges with remarkable strength. She experienced her first heart attack in 2016 and endured many hospitalizations related to bronchiectasis. Most recently, after suffering a heart attack in early November 2025, she fought congestive heart failure with incredible determination, holding on with courage and strength until her passing.

Kimberley had a deep appreciation for exploring the world and embraced the independence of traveling on her own. She journeyed throughout Europe, visited the Bahamas, and especially treasured her trips to the Cayman Islands, where she found both joy and peace.

She also had a lifelong love for sports and an active spirit from a young age. As a child, she was a competitive swimmer and trained at the Santa Fe Swim Club. She remained a passionate sports fan throughout her life, especially cheering on the San Antonio Spurs and faithfully supporting the Texas Longhorns football—proudly carrying on the family tradition with a heartfelt “Hook ’em Horns.”

More than anything, Kimberley was a devoted and deeply involved mother and grandmother. As a proud “dance mom,” she placed her daughter in ballet at Munro Ballet Studios and supported her throughout her dance career with the Corpus Christi Ballet. She was present for every step—watching classes, attending rehearsals, and faithfully sitting in the audience for every performance. She was equally supportive during her daughter’s years in cheerleading at W.B. Ray High School. Kimberley documented it all, capturing countless photos and videos that preserved the memories of childhood into adulthood, inspiring her daughter’s own love for preserving those same moments.

She carried that same devotion into her role as a grandmother, becoming a proud and loving “dance grandma” to Ava. Kimberley was always there—cheering her on, attending events, and supporting her in both academics and extracurricular activities. The two shared a truly special bond, filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished moments. Ava brought immense joy and light into Kimberley’s life, and their connection was one that will be deeply treasured forever.

She also found joy in the simple, meaningful traditions of home. While she wasn’t much of a cook, Kimberley was known for her snickerdoodles, which she lovingly made for birthdays and during the holidays—treats that so many looked forward to and that no one could quite make the way she did. She also enjoyed making homemade beef stroganoff, another dish remembered fondly by those who shared it with her. She had a special love for Janet’s Cakery, especially the signature icing roses, and believed every celebration should include one of their cakes. From her daughter’s very first birthday to her granddaughter’s special days, Janet’s cakes became a cherished family tradition. She was also rarely seen without her Diet Coke, which became something of her signature—an everyday companion and a small but familiar comfort wherever she went.

A deeply meaningful part of Kimberley’s life was her time spent at Camp Mystic, a cherished family tradition, from 1968 to 1982. Beginning as a camper, she proudly drew red during tribe induction as a “True Tonk” and later, at just 17 years old, became a counselor and aide. She was also honored as an “M” girl and treasured her James Avery Camp Mystic charm necklace, which she wore often as a symbol of those special years. As a counselor, she especially loved working on the waterfront along the Guadalupe River—one of her favorite places—teaching war canoe and helping young campers learn how to swim. She took great pride in mentoring others, including awarding “M’s” to senior campers. She also fondly remembered the simple joys of camp life, including evenings spent at the Kerrville laundromat—moments she reflected on as some of the happiest and most carefree times of her life.

Camp was a place that shaped her character, her resilience, and her values—something she carried with her throughout her life. She once said, “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without going to camp and the values that were instilled in me during those years.” She often shared how meaningful those friendships were to her, expressing deep gratitude for the support of her camp friends, whose bonds—formed over six summers—became lifelong friendships she truly cherished.

Her love for camp and tradition continued through her daughter, who followed in her footsteps and was inducted into the tribe “Ever-Loyal Kiowa,” earning a silver “M” in beginning riding—something especially meaningful as Kimberley herself loved horseback riding and excelled in advanced riding.

One of Kimberley’s most treasured sources of strength came from her favorite book, I Remember Iney’s Thoughts. A quote she held close throughout her life was: “When you reach the end of your rope—tie a knot and hang on.” She often said, “Think of that one daily—it has helped me through everything.” In the final months of her life, she lived those words with extraordinary courage, holding on and fighting with all her strength.

She is survived by her daughter, Alexa Erin Martin (John Muniz); her beloved granddaughter, Ava Madeleine Flores; her brother, James Patrick Martin (Debbie Hawkins); her sister, Suzanne Martin Biddle Sager (Alton); her nieces and nephews, Christopher Biddle, Michelle Sanders (Shane), and Sheridann Biddle; her great-nieces and great-nephews, CJ, Andrea, Chyler, Carrani, Corid, and Castin; many additional great-nieces and great-nephews; and her beloved Maltese, Sugar Bear, who was like a therapy companion to her and brought her comfort and companionship in her final years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Hersel “Jim” Martin and Jayne Martin, whom she loved deeply and missed every single day.

Kimberley will be remembered for her unwavering love, her wit, her wicked sense of humor, and her firecracker personality—perfectly matched by her red hair. She had her own way of showing love—most often through her actions, through showing up, through quiet strength, and through the countless ways she cared for those around her. Her presence will be profoundly missed, and the love she shared so deeply will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

In the spirit of one of her favorite songs, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, Kimberley believed in the simple but powerful truth that life goes on. As the lyrics say:

“Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah

La-la, how their life goes on

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah

La-la, how their life goes on”

She would want those she loved to carry on, to keep living life fully, and to hold onto the joy, memories, and love she gave so freely.

She will be dearly missed and forever remembered

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