Rowena Inez (Taber) Martin

Rowena Inez Martin, 85, of Canadian, Oklahoma, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2024, at her home surrounded by family. Rowena Inez Martin (Taber) was born on Sept. 2nd, 1938, in Oktaha OK to Orville Bernie Taber and Flora Elizabeth Taber. Rowena attended school in Wainwright, OK and later graduated from Muskogee HS. Rowena graduated at the age of 16 with honors. She married and moved to Midwest City, where she was a bookkeeper for Sears. She then became employed at Tinker Air Force Base. In 1962, she gave birth to her youngest daughter Danita, who was born with Down Syndrome. She became a strong advocate for children with special needs and founded the organization 'Parents of Children with Down Syndrome' which later became the OARC. She was a strong influence at the state government in developing advocacy rights for persons with disabilities, having served on many boards during the Civil Rights movement. She was also involved in establishing the first Oklahoma Special Olympics. Rowena remarried and later in life retired and relocated to Lake Eufaula. Rowena was a member of the Crowder Church of Christ. She was also a member of the Red Hat ladies. Rowena loved to travel and traveled all over the world fulfilling her bucket list.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Orville and Flora Elizabeth Taber (Waller), Foster Perry Hicks of Council Hill - father of her children, husband Jack C. Martin, daughter Danita Caryl Hicks and her brother Wayne Taber of South TX, and sisters Mildred Boss and Wilma Taber from Checotah, OK and surrounding areas. She leaves behind her son Cameron Hicks-Maw and Stacy Hicks-Maw of Canadian, daughter Elizabeth Renee Hicks and Thomas E. Brown Jr. of Canadian, 2 granddaughters, Frances Johnston and husband Tim of Edmond, Gabrielle Weigel and Kaine Shaffer of Kinta; great grandkids, Damon Fields, Greyson Cook, Calvin Foster Weigel, Landyn Shannon, Neveah Weigel and bonus great grands Levi, Meridia and Arrianna, plus many cousins, nieces and nephews.