Iris Milagro Ortiz

Iris Milagro Ortiz, known best as “Mami Iris”, aged 76, from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, passed away on December 9, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Antonio Ortiz, of forty-six years. She is survived by her daughters, Elsa (Randall) Lates, Melissa (Kendall) McClendon and Rosie Ortiz. She also leaves behind five grandkids: Mikal, Kennedy, Rosa, Razel and Kameron; and one great grandchild, Parker; as well as multiple brothers and sisters and extended family whom loved her. 

Mami Iris was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, raised in Penuelas and moved to California at the age of 16 to finish high school and attend Berkley College. She then moved to Tampa, Florida, where she met and married the love of her life, Jose. 

Everyone that knew her knows she enjoyed children more than life itself. She babysat for numerous children for countless years while raising three of her own. There wasn’t a child she met that didn’t light up her world. Second in line were her pets; she loved them as much as she loved her kids and grandkids. They were her daily companions. 

She will always be remembered for her kind and generous heart and ability to make anyone feel like family. 

A visitation will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Davis Watkins Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m.  Burial will follow immediately at Beal Memorial Cemetery.