Funeral service for Maria Elena (Martinez) Saldana, age 52, of Frederick, Oklahoma, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Orr Gray Gish Chapel with Pastor Juan Vasquez officiating.

Maria passed away Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Lawton, Oklahoma.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Frederick Memorial Cemetery.

She was born January 19, 1974, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Abel Martinez and Elena Puentes. She attended school from kindergarten through 12th grade in West Memphis, Arkansas. Following high school, she continued her education at Community College in West Memphis. After college, she moved to Texas. She taught school in Huntsville, Texas. She moved to Oklahoma and was united in marriage to Juan Saldana on February 14, 2013, in Frederick, Oklahoma. She worked as a dietary assistant for Frederick, Oklahoma, Public Schools. Maria was known for her smile and laughter. She enjoyed listening to rock ’n’ roll music and loved Chinese food. She had a special love for animals and especially adored her dogs, Charlie Brown and Bella.

She is survived by her husband: Juan Saldana; her father: Abel Martinez; her mother: Elena Richardson; her children: Abel Saldana, Juan Saldana Jr., Gerardo Saldana, Francisco Saldana, Ashley Saldana and Jeniffer Saldana; a brother: Joseph Miguel Richardson and his wife Crystal, of Madison, Wisconsin; nephews: Daniel Richardson,  Leonidas Richardson, Martin Santiago, and Saul Saenz, Jr.; and nieces: Cataleya Richardson, Micaela Santiago and Guadalupe Saenz; several aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.