Rose Martinez of Zwolle has been named this year’s First Lady of the famous Tamale Fiesta.
She was born on September 19, 1943 to Jessie Ebarb and Rita McComic. Although her father has passed away, her mother is alive and well at 94-years-old. Her companion of 14 years, Thurman Webb, is with her as she begins her year as First Lady of the 43rd Annual Tamale Fiesta.
“Life is good,” she says.
Years ago, as the fiesta was in its planning, the festival’s founder, Rogers P. Loupe, asked her to help make tamales to realize his vision for Zwolle. Of course, she said yes.
“My kids weren’t too excited because they knew they were in for lots of work,” she explained. “For several years my kids, my friend JoAnne, and I made lots and lots of tamales.