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.