Dr. Barbara Ann Martens

Dr. Barbara Ann Dawes Martens, 82, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, passed away September 14, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Barbara was born April 16, 1944, in Tahlequah, to the late Samson Dawes and Bessie Gourd Dawes. Barbara graduated from Tahlequah High School, then attended beauty school out of state. She moved back home after a few years and started working at Western Hills Lodge. This is where she met her great love Jim Martens, they were married more than 45 years before his passing. They lived in Oklahoma City for a while, then Dallas as he moved around for his job. She continued working in hotels during this time, which she loved and continued her education studies.

After her husband Jim retired, they moved to Cookson, OK. While working in education, she continued her schooling until she received her Doctorate in Education.

Her Cherokee heritage was important to her, as she even ran for Deputy Chief in 1995. She was very involved in volunteering with CASA and various other groups including Soroptimist International Group. She was social and always enjoyed being around others.

Barbara had a few special friends from high school that stayed in contact and continued to meet up for luncheons as often as they could.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Samson & Bessie Dawes;

She also had seven siblings whom she remained close to throughout her life, Lee Keener Sr., Callie Keener Hildebrand, Ross Dawes, Sam Dawes, Polly Dawes Boyer, Mike Dawes and Sherryl Kay Dawes.

Not having any children of her own, she was close to her many nieces & nephews; Lee & Debbie Keener, Carole Lea Dugan, Gus Hildebrand, Mariah Hildebrand, Christina Lee, Michelle Studie, Felix Dawes, Dewayne Dawes, Ronnie Etzkorn, Janie Rapp, Lee Dawes, Mikeal Dawes, Katie Taylor, and Daniel Dawes; and her great nieces & nephews and her great- great nieces & nephews who also enjoyed visiting her as well.

There will be a viewing Thursday, September 24, 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 PM, at Hart Funeral Home in Tahlequah.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 25, 2026, 11:00 AM, in the Chapel of Hart Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest at Fort Gibson National Cemetery at 1:30 PM, following the funeral service at the funeral home.