Doris Jane Martindale

Faith and family meant everything to Doris Jane Martindale.

Jane was born Oct. 19, 1947, in Rotan, Texas, to Carlton and Waldeen Thomson. She passed Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital in San Antonio. She was 75.

Jane grew up in the Methodist Church. As the daughter of a minister, her family moved frequently from one West Texas community to another. Though life would take her around the world, she never lost her love of Texas.

She graduated from Dalhart High School in 1966 and enrolled in classes at Texas Tech University and also what is now West Texas A&M University.

Lasting love came when she met Bob Martindale, a young Army captain, in the spring of 1970. The connection was immediate and enduring; they married six weeks later and were together for more than 50 years. The family grew: Beverly, Rob, Sarah, Carlton and Leigh.

Just as Jane had moved wherever the United Methodist Church sent her father, she now moved wherever the U.S. Army sent her husband. Their many posts included Texas, Virginia, Belgium and Germany, where she volunteered for numerous organizations, including the Red Cross and SAMMinistries. Their final post was San Antonio, and that’s where the family put down roots when Bob’s military service was complete.

Jane’s deep faith was a constant thread throughout her life. She worked for three years as the Emmaus registrar for the Southwest Texas (now Rio) Conference of the United Methodist Church and served on numerous committees in their own church. Her bright soprano voice rang out at every Sunday service.

The Martindales also opened their home to 45 foster babies over a 10-year-period. In 1997, they adopted one of those babies, Leigh Anne.

Over the next few decades, Jane doted on her children and grandchildren, and they share fond memories of her sewing skills and culinary talent. She made costumes, sweaters and team sweatshirts. She ruled the kitchen; some family favorites include stacked enchiladas and Belgian waffles, Christmas treats and cinnamon popcorn. Her tradition of putting little Cuties tangerines and personalized pencils in Christmas stockings will live on with her grandchildren. And no one can forget the sight — and sound — of her loyal support at every tennis, football, soccer, baseball and basketball game, at every band concert and dance recital.

Jane took great pride in taking care of her home and family and meeting everyone’s needs. The roles were reversed more recently. As her health failed, Bob became her faithful caregiver, taking her to doctor’s appointments, monitoring her vital signs and medication, and snuggling with her on the couch for hours at a time. They celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in June.

Jane is survived by her husband, Robert, of San Antonio; her mother, Waldeen Pearson, of Lubbock, Texas; her brother, Tom (Carol) Thomson, of Lubbock, Texas; her sister, Susan (Dan) Nazworth, of Levelland, Texas; her daughters, Beverly (Mark) Horvit, of Columbia, Missouri, and Leigh Martindale, of San Antonio; her sons, Rob (Kylie) and Carlton (Amanda), both of San Antonio; her stepdaughter, Cyndy Strickland (Derek), of Anchorage, Alaska; and ten grandchildren, Elena, Nate, Cody, SaraBeth, C.J., Blake, Caden, Declan, Grace and Dominic.

She was preceded in death by her father, Carlton Thomson, and her daughter, Sarah Waldeen Martindale.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at Windcrest United Methodist Church, 8101 Midcrown Drive, San Antonio, TX 78239.

The family has requested in lieu of Flowers please consider a Memorial that may be sent to SAMMinistries or Windcrest United Methodist Church.