Obituary of Mary Martin

Mary Delilah Hayden Martin, 86 of Idabel, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 25, 1923 at Foreman, Arkansas, the daughter of R.E. and Ethel Azlin Hayden. Traveling to various places such as Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New Orleans and Key West, Mary returned to Idabel to raise her family where she spent the last 60 years of her life. Mary was a switchboard operator, working as the operator the night that telephones turned from switchboard to dial. Later she worked as a secretary at the Jr. High School for many years and was called back from retirement and completed many additional years at the school. Having met Vice President, Alfred Barkley during Franklin Roosevelt’s Presidency, Mary wrote an article about Mr. Barkley which was published. She loved writing, reading books, jigsaw puzzles and scrapbooking. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Truman Martin; son, Roy Martin; brother, James Hayden; great aunt; Minnie Azlin who helped raise her children when she was left a widow at age 28. Mary is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Dianne Martin of Texarkana, Texas; daughter, Gail Self of Broken Bow; grandchildren, Mark Self and wife Julie, Robert Self and wife Christy, Waylon Martin and wife Annie, and Melody Martin; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Addison and Cole Self and Gavin, Hannah and Tevin Martin; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.