Reynalda Martinez (nee Deleon)
My grandmother, Reynalda Deleon Martinez was born on January 6, 1934 to Elvita Cruz and Graciano Deleon in the city of Laredo. Her parents both came to Texas from Mexico and she has two older brothers. My grandmother never attended school. She started to read and write Spanish at the age of 15. She lived in the town of Moore, Texas in the beginning of her life doing housework and chores. When she was young, her aunt and uncle never let her attend shcool but had her work in and outside the house. She married Esteven Martinez on Februray 20, 1953 in the town of Lytle. She has 10 children, one of which is my mom Maria. Reynalda has been a housewife and cook for many years. For 26 years she worked at the restaurant Klondike in Lytle, Texas. She had to stop working due to illnes. In 1977 she and Esteven divorced. Reynalda is a very strong woman that keeps on enjoying life to the fullest.
Describe your childhood.
Well the only thing I can describe it, it was kind of sad because I was lonely, my mother
died it was hard for me because I was too young. I was eight years old. I don't have good memories
when I was young.
How was it like working outside when you were a child?
Well I never worked outside, all the time I worked inside. I have to learn how to cook, how
to wash, how to clean house because my mother died when I was young I lived with relatives, I
have a real, real hard days because, I have to work and all this stuff. If I don't learn, they
spank me and you know be mean to me. Like I said I never worked outside.
Who did you live with? Which relatives
I lived with one of my aunts in Cotulla, you know, but it was a old lady. I had to do everything
for her. So that is the reason they never sent me to school.
When did you learn to cook? Who taught you?
My aunt, that one I just said.
Why did they not send you to school?
Because I had to learn how to cook and I was a orphan, you know, I didn't have my mother so they
don't care. They never tell me, you know, send me to school or nothing like that and I wanted to go to
because I see the rest of the kids, friends that live around me going. They used to come and tell, you
know, about school and everything but you know I just can't go.
Did you you ever want to go to school?
Oh yes, I wants to go to school, it would have been hard for me because I never talk English or
read or write, nothing.
Did you get some education?
Only my daddy, he bring me a um, when I was 15 years old he buy a little book about a 1st grade,
kindergarten, a little book just for little kids and I was 15. My daddy send me to school in Moore, I
was 15 in the first grade and everybody made fun of me, it was first graders and I was 15. That day
was hard for me I cried so much.
What kind of music did you listen to when you were young?
You know Spanish because I didn't understand English or talk English. I like Polkas, you know
things like that.
Did you ever got to eat at resturants or fast food places?
Well, the only place I used to go when I was living with my daddy, we used to go to Nuevo Lardeo
to this resturant, the name was La Matina to go eat Mexican food. Not all the time, it was the only one
we went to.
What kind of car did you dad have?
We never had a car at home because my daddy didn't know how to drive. We never had a car at home.
When did you move to Lytle?
Well we moved from Moore to Lytle when I get married. I was 19 years old, that's when I moved
here to Lytle. Since then I have lived here in Lytle, so I love Lytle. I was born in Lardeo, Texas
(smiles) but this is my town to me.
How has Lytle changed over the years?
(Taking a breath) Nice, when we moved here to Lytle we don't have a sewer, we don't have
really water, you know and I just cannot explain when all that started doing all that. But my
husband used to help a lot here in the city, you know to get some people to sign, so they can
pass, so they can have sewer and water and gas and all that. So it was for a while but I was
happy.
What did you do to pass the time in Lytle?
Enjoy it with my kids. You know really, I don't have too much to say especially like
weekends. I would take my kids to the park. I had 10 kids so really I just don't go nowhere
(laughing) just stay at home.
Did you have a AC unit in the house with your kids?
(Laughing) No we just opened the windows.
When did you learn speak English? Who taught you? How long did it take?
I don't remember how long it took but it didn't take too long because by that time when I start
talking English. They (classmates) used to talk a lot in school to my kids, in English, when they
get home they was telling me something in English. And I just cannot understand and then I would ask
my husband the kids want something but I don't know what they want, because I don't understand. My husband
would tell me "well this is what they want" and asking you things like that. So then this is when I learn
from my kids, my oldest. When I started learning I repeat whatever they say like water, or bread or things
like that. I learned from my kids.
What was your first paying job?
The first job I used to have I was working in the field picking cotton, by that time I was
already married and had some kids.
How was it like working in the field?
Ah, awful, I mean well I went with some of my kids but it was hard because it was hot. I used to take
my kids at that time my kids were small. One day I fainted because the cotton was too heavy you know, carry
those big cosalizes. (bale of cotton) It was real hard, real hard to work in the sun all day and really I didn't
even make money.
What was your first paying job? How was it like working at the Klondike?
First I had a part-time because at that time I just cannot talk good English and it was real hard for me you know
to talk with my boss or the other workers. It was real hard for me used to try a lot when I was washing dishes,
until I start learing little by little. But it was hard but the owners (Earl) of the place were wonderful people. They try
to help me a lot. I was happy to work for them it was real nice people, they helped me a lot and it was real good. I was so happy
to work in that place (Klondike) because maybe if I work in another place they fire me because I cannot communicate
with them because of my poor English. I learned a lot of things there a lot of things. I was so happy to work there.
God bless me. (laughing)
How was it like to raise 10 children?
Well to me I think it was... I was kind of young. First I don't have my mother to talk to or to have a sister, or some of my relatives to say well, why. My husband he never try to protect me or something like that he don't believe in that. So he said that's the reason he got married to have kids and that was the reason I have kids. First it was real hard for me, because it was one to another and another, it was real hard for me. But, now I am happy
that I have my kids because they're with me all the time. When I was young I never have this love, that I have now. Now I have
my kids they love me and my grandkids who love me so much. So thanks God that they bless me after all these years I was
suffering.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this interview?
Well, it was hard for me to talk about my past and I am happy, I have too many things to say, but I justs sometimes
hard for me to explain... (signals to stop)
The Handbook of Texas Online. Copyright © The Texas State Historical Association. The Handbook of Texas Online is a multidisciplinary encyclopedia of Texas history, geography, and culture sponsored by the Texas State Historical Association and the General Libraries at University of Texas at Austin. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/ Last Updated: March 23, 2006.
Moore.Copyright © The Texas State Historical Association
The Lytle Woman's Club. PatchWork Lytle Folks Facts & Fables. Wolfe City, Texas. Henington Publishing Company. 1976. Only 600 copies of this book have been made. It gives the history of Lytle. The book was written by Mildred Steele,Gladys McDonald , Nelda Naegelin, Edith Wanjura, Estelle Mask, Billie Liebe and Margaret Trouart.