Nerida Martinez Hernandez

Nerida Martinez Hernandez was born on Saturday, September 29th, 1945 in Santa Clara, Cuba to Tomas Temistocles Martinez Cruz and Rafaela Alfonso. She grew up in Castano with her older brother Jose Ramon Martinez. At the age of 9 her family moved to Ranchuelo on Caye Sol.  

Her thrive for perfection started at a very young age. Nerida was acknowledged for her achievements in academics with Cuba’s famous certificate “El Beso de la Patria”. This would be the beginning strides to her lifelong passion for education and knowledge.  

In anticipation to the civil climate of Cuba, her father was able to move his family in 1959 to the United States. The still picture of a home locked up and shut as if a return would be possible was a mental picture that stuck with Nerida. She was unable to mourn, or bid farewell to her community, family, or friends.  

Traveling to the USA was taxing and difficult, Tomas had a grand gesture for his tired family, a proclamation through baptism. This would be a life changing event. Nerida and Jose Ramon attended an Adventist school in Miami, again Nerida shared her academic superiority in math while in a foreign country.  Nerida, Josa Ramon, and Rafaela began taking baptismal classes.  

After their baptism Pastor Ernesto Santos encouraged the siblings to study at Colegio de las Antillas en Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in 1961. In 1964 Nery was married to Hector Hernandez they went on to have 3 children Hector Hugo, Danery Ela, and Hecner Hiram. Nerida dedicated her early life to doing Mission work in Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala and spent the entirety of her life upholding the principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.   

  For more than 50 years Nery passionately led her students to academic excellence and to Jesus. Both in the classroom and in Sabbath School. Nery dedicated her time outside of the classroom to her passion of youth. For more than 3 decades Nery passionately led, directed, and conducted pathfinders at Forest City SDA Church. The impact that she had on so many of our youth is immeasurable.  

Nery was a lover of her family and friends. Her love for parties, trips, and functions had the purpose of uniting her loved ones so they could enjoy unforgettable moments  

On the morning of Tuesday November 8th, 2022, she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. She leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories, her brothers Jose Ramon Martinez (Ofelia) and Thomas Temistocles Martinez Jr. (Jeannie); her children Hector (Lily), Elita (Rene), Hecner (Joy); her grandchildren Kiko (Aby), Elijah, David, Vivian, Rubin (Irma), Angie (El Doctor), and Michael (Christy); her great grandchildren Marcus, Roman, Ruby, Rylan, and Stella; nieces, nephews and many other family members and friends. 

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