At nearly 91 years old Ernestine Perez entered the presence of her LORD and SAVIOR on the morning of April 30th, 2026.

Our mother was born on June 11, 1935 in Beeville Texas to Joel and Amelia Martinez. Mom was born into a large family where she was one of 10 children born into the Martinez family. The Martinez family moved to Washington in 1942 and eventually settled in Mabton, WA.

Mom went to Mabton Elementary school, she did not care for school much and only completed the 4th grade.

At the age of 15 mom decided to get married; she married Larry Perez. They had 8 kids during their marriage: 4 boys and 4 girls. Olivia, Elena, Alicia, Louie, Sam, Delia, Larry, and Rick. In addition, mom adopted a daughter in Christ, Sally Cisneros. As the family grew, they moved between Arizona, California, and Washington. The Perez family finally settled in Pasco, WA.

Before mom passed, she was blessed with 26 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren. She loved them all very much. Mom never learned how to drive so in her younger days she walked or relied on generous friends. She did not see as many of her grandkids as she wanted but she regularly spoke of them affectionately.

Friends! Mom loved her friends and extended family; they meant a lot to her. She loved to be visited by them and always spoke highly of you all. From the Perez family to everyone who loved on her…THANK YOU!

Mom was a FIGHTER! Mom was the best provider anyone could ask for. She worked as a housekeeper and nanny for many families in the Tri-Cities while also working in packing houses while raising her kids. In 1978 mom started working for the Pasco School District (PSD) as a part time janitor, then a lunchroom cook and finally a teachers aid for kindergarten through 3rd grade – all at Mark Twain Elementary School. She eventually moved to the PSD bus garage and was a bus assistant. Mom was NEVER afraid of a challenge and given worldly limitations her faith in Christ carried her through all challenges that life through at her. Mom was a prayer warrior. She always prayed and the LORD was her rock! Growing up in the house meant watching Billie Graham, going to church every Sunday listening to Lawarence Welk, and later in life watching the Seattle Seahawks and the University of Washington Football teams!

She always taught her kids (not necessarily by lectures) but by actions that hard work pays off. With a limited education, very limited English writing and reading skills she accomplished retiring with the PSD after 40 years of continuous service, paying off her home, setting up her retirement, ensuring her kids were provided for and spoiling grandkids…all on her own by the grace of GOD! Mom would often say: "take advantage of

opportunities not people".

Lastly, mom was all about CLEANLINESS! Who vacuums the garage!? Who makes sure their yard is mowed 3 times a week!? Who vacuums at 11pm at night and then again at 5am in the morning…every day!? MOM!!

Mom was preceded in death by her parents and kids Alicia Wolfsberger, Louie Perez, and Sam Perez.

She will be greatly missed…

We love you mom!!!!!!