Martha Hayes Obituary

Martha May (Irby) Hawkins Hayes, 85, passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in the Pawhuska Hospital.
Martha was born January 25, 1940, in Pawhuska, the daughter of Claude N. and Jimmie Pearl (Tippit) Irby, and the twin sister to Margie. On July 26, 1962, she married Walter L. Hawkins in Pawhuska. He preceded her in death December 1, 1973. She then married William Leon Hayes on January 7, 1977, in Pawhuska. He preceded her in death January 12, 2002.
Martha first worked at Irby Drug Store as a soda fountain attendant. She helped at Walt Hawkins Pontiac GMC and worked alongside Walt as an EMT when they owned Sooner Ambulance. She worked at Osage Federal Savings and Loan (Now American Heritage Bank), where she served as Vice President, retiring after 40 years of service, and was still serving on the Board of Directors. Martha was also the manager of Handy Grocery, simply now known as Handys, for Beverly and Terry. She was a longtime member of the Pawhuska Hospital Auxiliary. A lifetime member of the Pawhuska First Baptist Church, Martha faithfully served in the Nursery.
In her spare time, Martha enjoyed working at and seeing the people of Handys and being a Pawhuska Huskies Meme, watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all their sporting events. She also enjoyed playing the penny slots at the casinos, couponing, freebies, shopping and going to market. Martha could never pass up a good deal.
Surviving is her daughter, Beverly Moore (Terry); Stepdaughter, Debbie Salerno; Grandchildren Steven (Baylee) Moore; Stephanie (Kemper) Hill and Steven Salerno, Jr. (Jen); Great grandchildren Mylee Jensen, Jase Jensen, Emma Moore, William Moore, Madden Moore, Scout Moore, Brayden Salerno, Noah Salerno, Steven Choate, Gianna Salerno, and Dominic Salerno; sister-in-law, Berniece Irby; her Handys workers Kristen, Melissa, Alicia and Olivia, as well as other workers; and a host of other family members.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Claude, Jr., Robert, James and Alan Irby; sister Margie Shaw; husbands Walter L. Hawkins and William Leon Hayes; son-in-law Steven Salerno, Sr., and grandson Joseph Salerno.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 5, 10:00AM, at the Pawhuska First Baptist Church. Rev. Justin Turney will officiate. Interment will be in the Pawhuska City Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Martha's honor may be made to the FBC Nursery Renovation, c/o Pawhuska First Baptist Church, 302 E. 6th St, Pawhuska, OK 74056.
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