Ava Marie Old Rock Martin “Eagle flies High”, age 62, passed away on March 16, 2021 in Poplar. Ava was born on July 11, 1958 in Poplar, MT.
Ava was many things, a Veteran of US Air Force, an artist, aunt, sister, grandma, great grandma, cousin. Even though she had no children of her own, she had a special title, MOM. A mom to, Kelly and Cerise GreyBear, Judith Olson, Aaree GreyBear, Kaylei and Taizah Olson. Ava thought a lot of her grandson Kiel. Always said he was her main man, her best friend and he was like a son to her.
She was also a teacher, she taught many of us to cook, make things, fix things, a jack of all trades so to speak.
Ava graduated Poplar High School in 1978. Shortly there after she decided to enlist with the United States Air Force, her training was at the Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, TX. She was honorably discharged.
Ava was always on the go, she spent time with family in North Dakota and Alaska.
She held various jobs at A&S Industries, Dakota Tribal Industries (Spirit Lake, ND), Tribal museum, Fish & Game, Tribal Express. Attended colleges at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT and South Dakota school, mines & tech in Rapid City, SD and FPCC.
Ava enjoyed cruising, visiting, watching her favorite TV shows, Law and Order SVU, the ID channel shows. She loved football season, her team was the San Francisco 49ers, she liked to play all board games, Yahtzee. She always won. But we all knew she cheated. One Christmas she had gotten a little arcade game you can hook up to the TV, it was Pac-Man, always had the highest score, she would say go ahead and beat my score.
Ava was always joking, teasing. She can be stubborn as heck nut also generous to everyone. She helped out a lot of people, family and strangers.
We have special memories with her.
Ava leaves behind, Kelly Ann GreyBear, Cerise Lynn GreyBear, Judith F. Olson, Aaree L. GreyBear, Kaylei R. Olson, Taizah R. Olson; aunt Germaine Brady of Newtown, ND; sisters-in-law Vivian GreyBear of Alaska, Lorraine GreyBear of Spirit Lake, ND; sister Judy; adopted sister Vanchon “Annie” Birdsbill, numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ava joins her family; mother Lottie E. Old Rock Martin, GreyBear, Brown; brothers Melvin D. GreyBear, Sr., Abraham E. GreyBear, Sr., Oral A. GreyBear, Sr., Galen M. GreyBear; sisters Vina M. GreyBear-Longtree, Coretta R. GreyBear-Youngman, Phyllis K. GreyBear-Olson and special friend Barbara.
Vonda Bighorn says
My sincere condolences to Ava’s family. I will miss our visits and laughs. Rest in Peace my friend. Tell Joash hi.
Nephew Mike says
Auntie, Iam sure goin to miss you, your one of a kind auntie that likes to joke and laugh around and make people laugh, tell my mom I said hi for me, Doksa Aka Mi Tuwi I will see you again have a safe journey Tuwi. Love You
Nephew Mike
Traci LeVay-Holt says
It was great to have known you. Loved your sense of humor. Rest easy and until we meet again. Prayers for the family .
Margarett Campbell says
My sincere condolences to Ava’s family. She was good to me and I appreciated her friendship. Hugs Taizah, love you.
David E. & Chong Ae Boyd says
Judy our prayers are with you and the rest of the family
Luella Montclair says
I’m So Sorry For Your Loss. I can’t believe she’s gone!! I’m going to miss hearing HEY WITCH your Birthdays coming up Every October. My Sincerest Sympathies She Was A Good Woman and She Always Treated Me Good.
Carol OH says
Rest in Peace. Thank you for your kindness.
Gay Pennington says
My Condolences to Ava Martin families. Ava and I grew up together all thru up High School. She would always watch to make sure no one pick on me. Every time we would run into each other she would say hey sis where have you been. She was such a GREAT ARTIST.. She would say to me hey sis come look at my drawings. She had the talent to draw. I will miss Ava jokes, laugher, smiles and just my friend Ava. I will see you on the other side my friend. Keep drawing and my prayers are there. My Sincerest Sympathy to the family, relatives, and all her friends who knew Ava. Rest in peace Ava. No more suffering. Love you my dear friend and classmate 1978 forever. from Gay (Stephanie) Paulson Pennington
Lani Ryan says
My most sincere condolences to the family. My cousin Ava will certainly be truly missed. Rest easy.
Rita Weeks says
My condolences to Ava’s family. May god give you all comfort and grace during your time of grief. Prayers!
Joni Sevenstar-SwiftEagle says
Rest in Paradise Cousin💕🙏🏽! Please give my mom a hug for me and tell her I Love her! 💔🙏🏽
Rose Morsette says
Condolences to the family
Cheryle Jordan White Hawk says
Fly high they wait upon ur coming with open arms u always laughed with all knew u u will be greatly missed safe journey aunt
Sunne' d. Young (Wawokia Winyan) says
Our Love and prayers sent over the miles to send comfort to our family.
Wakan Hoye Yapi <3 Singing an honour song today for you.
Feeling so sad and lonely to not be there by your side.
The only antidote to this sadness?
Remembering the fun times being all together around the table and working together. (Like at Chelsea)
Ava you all ways made it fun especially when things were too serious.
And you reminded us to be serious if we were having too much fun.
So much to remember, we will keep remembering.
Through remembering we will all help carry on
Not only to just think about
what we love about you.
We will do these things we love,
We will be the rock too.
never to forget
One Heart <3
To My Auntie who is younger than mi.
We were born in the same year.
just months apart
Ava the wise one
timeless strength
the rock
Rest In the kindness
you have shared
Doksa
Lara Riley says
I love you auntie ava 💜 miss so much wish I could have been there. Have a beautiful journey. I will see you soon. Rest in peace.Love always niece Lara Riley L.A
Sioux Dawn says
Condolences to the family & all her loved ones.
Rest Easy Aunty Ava. I’ll miss you & u’R smile.
Debbie Bear says
Ava you were such a nice person I will never forget you .I never visited only last spring we had Tea outside your house your granddaughter served us it was nice. We will all see each other again in Heaven .Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. I am claiming that scripture