Martha Nell Poolaw

Martha Nell "Marti" (Xó:gútqómà) Kauley Poolaw

Martha Nell "Marti" (Xó:gútqómà "Yellow Stone Woman") Kauley Poolaw, 85, was born in her family home in Carnegie, OK. She was an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe.

She graduated from Carnegie High School in 1958 and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK, in 1978. She married Robert "Corky" Poolaw on May 31, 1957 and joined him at MCB Twenty-Nine Palms one year later. After raising her three children, she began working for the Department of Defense in accounting at MCB Camp Pendleton, California; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; and over fifteen years at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. Her assignments at TAFB included working as a logistics management specialist for the B-1 Stealth Bomber program, overseeing the modifications on B-1 bombers, and the B-2 Stealth Bomber program. After retiring from the Department of Defense in 2008, Marti was employed by the Native American Language Program at the University of Oklahoma. She taught Intermediate Kiowa from August 2012 until her second retirement in April 2024.

Marti was a dedicated preservationist and benefactor of the Kiowa culture and language. She acted as an advisor and translator for Kiowa words and phrases used in movies, television, and artwork. She served on the Kiowa Language Credential Board, certifying and mentoring candidates pursuing a career teaching the Kiowa language. She was a tribal consultant for Kiowa dance and dress. Marti was also a member of the Kiowa Tribal Princess Sorority, having represented the Kiowa Tribe as their princess at the 1956 American Indian Exposition, and was a mentor and inspiration for many young women who served as Kiowa Tribal Princess. She was a dedicated supporter of the Native American Marine Corps Veterans, Kiowa Gourd Clan, Kiowa Ohomah Lodge, and Kiowa Black Leggings organizations. Marti was one of a handful of first-language Kiowa speakers remaining at the time of her passing, though thanks in part to her efforts, many are now learning Kiowa as a second language.

Marti was a loving and beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and sister. She is survived by her husband, Robert "Corky" Poolaw Sr. of the home; two sons, Robert Poolaw Jr. (and wife Sandra), and Thomas Poolaw (and companion Jaime Davis), all of Norman, OK; one daughter, Tracy Poolaw Mailo, of Norman, OK; seven grandchildren, Marisa Nell Poolaw, Jessica Mailo, Dane Poolaw, Logan Poolaw, Jeffrey Savoie Poolaw, Elias Poolaw (and companion Georgia Ballou) all of Norman, and Tabe Poolaw, who she raised from infanthood, of the home; eight great-grandchildren, Haileigh Jane (and companion Chandler Rivas), Alexander Poolaw, Jada Mailo, Lillian Ballou, Tavi Mailo, James Poolaw, Magnolia Ballou, and Jewels Mailo, all of Norman; a great-great-grandson, Leondro Rivas; one sister, Cora Kauley Tate, of Fletcher; her childhood lifelong friend, Carrie Aitson Horse; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Her interests included traveling with her family and collecting art and beadwork from different tribes.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Kauley and Jessie Kalthchallah, grandmother (Máigàuhól "Killed an Enemy of High Rank") ; the aunts that raised her, Fannie Gwoompi, Jacqueline Randolph and Edith Randolph; two sisters, Nancy Kauley Ross and Jacqueline Louise Randolph; brothers Francis "Johnny" Kauley, James Videll Kauley, Leland Randolph, Donald Randolph, Ronald Randolph, Floyd Randolph, Lloyd Randolph, Don Horse and Curtis Horse; adopted mother Grace Tsonetokoy; son-in-law Joyita Mailo; daughter-in-law Wendy Mahsetky-Poolaw; an infant son, Jeffrey David Poolaw, and an infant granddaughter, Sacha Mailo.

Visitation will be 1-6 pm and wake service at 7 pm, both Monday, March 24, at Ray and Martha's Funeral Home in Anadarko. Funeral service will be at 1 pm, Tuesday, March 25, at the First Baptist Church, Anadarko, Willie Jack Doyeto officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Lane Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Poolaw, Damon Poolaw, Dane Poolaw, Jeffrey Poolaw, Elias Poolaw, Tabe Poolaw, and Alexander Poolaw. Honorary pallbearers will be Terrell Randolph, Tim Tsoodle, Robert Naves, Chandler Rivas and Sokobi Connywerdy.

Funeral Service: 1:00pm Tuesday, March 25, 2025

First Baptist Church, Anadarko

Visitation: 1:00pm-6:00pm Monday, March 24, 2025

Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko

Wake Service: 7:00pm Monday, March 24, 2025

Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko

Interment: Memory Lane Cemetery, Anadarko

Under the Direction of Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko