Lena Mae "Pat" (Crittenden) Martinez

Lena Mae “Pat” (Crittenden) Martinez was born July 17, 1941 in Tahlequah, OK to Bert and Lora Crittenden. She passed from this life on September 19, 2023 in Hulbert, OK. Those who welcomed her home were her husband Jake, her mother, father, and brother, Bert Jr., grandmothers, Peggy “Ecie” Hawkins Sands and Lena Mae Cochran Crittenden, grandfathers, Joe Williams and Joe Crittenden and many other family member and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Kim, husband John and daughter, Megan Jackman of Inola, OK, nieces, Dianne Crittenden Martin and husband Jesse of Hulbert, OK, Sherri Crittenden Smith, her husband Shane, sons Walker and Brady Smith of Springdale, AR; nephews, Dillon Brown, his wife Aleah and sons Lane and Benton, Kyler and his wife Breonna and son Jason, along with niece, Sandra "Lou Ann" Merrill, Kaley and her husband Austin, son Zane and daughter Kynley; her special cousins, Lee Ann Cobell, Steve Crittenden, Sandra Merrill and Joe Michael Carey as well as many family members and friends.

Pat graduated from Hulbert High School at the age of 16 and went on to graduate from NSU with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. She took summer classes for her Masters at Northern University of Flagstaff and the University of New Mexico of Albuquerque. While living in Arizona, she met her cowboy, dated him for six weeks and married him. They would have been married 60 years September 20, 2023. She taught School in Flagstaff, AZ and Gallup, NM for 14 years. She moved back to Oklahoma in 1976, where she taught until retiring to take care of Megan. She taught a total of 47 years.

In Gallup, she was involved in Early Childhood Education, starting several pilot programs. She coached softball, basketball, volleyball and track. She was also a member of the IHF CIC Falcons Traveling Basketball Team, playing in Missouri, Colorado, Texas, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Iowa, Arizona and Tennessee.

While teaching in Hulbert, she was active in the Teachers Association, serving in all positions. She was named teacher of the year; three years in Hulbert and three years in Gallup. She was a cheerleading sponsor with her good friend, Donna Kilpatrick, 4H sponsor for years where the club raised thousands of dollars for the American Heart Fund and the Ronald McDonald House.

She loved to travel and took three vacations a year; her and her mom, her and her husband and her and her daughter; later adding Megan to her trips. She visited all 48 lower states, Canada and Mexico. On her 80th birthday, Kim was taking her to Hawaii, but she fell and broke her shoulder.

She was OU’s biggest fan. Regardless of the sport, she was there in her recliner cheering them on. Football and basketball being her favorite, but she would cheer for baseball, softball, gymnastics, track, you name it! She was also a Mickey Mouse fan and had quite a collection received as gifts through the years.

She was a member of the Swimmer Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School. Her church family was unique. They not only studied God’s word, but had many happy and funny memories. It is a church bonded to each other through good times and bad. They were always pulling pranks on each other. Jimmy Sams, Paul Adair and Andy Bird were her favorite targets. When she told you she would pray for you, you can rest assured she did. When she was so sick, people prayed for God to heal her. Prayers were answered, giving her several more years with family and friends. She continued to witness every time she had an opportunity, whether she was at Wal-Mart, yard sales, nursing homes, on vacation or to a repairman who would come to her home. She was always quick to ask, “Do you know Jesus?” She leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Funeral services for Lena will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 10:00am at Swimmer Baptist Church with Pastor Sam Keener officiating. A reception will be held at the church immediately following services. Graveside services will be held at 2:30pm at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest to join her husband.

Pallbearers for Lena include Dr. Jake Whitener, Ryan Sierra, Ryan Dirteater, Dillon Brown, Steve Crittenden and Kyler Crittenden. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Sams, Wahoo Gifford, Albert Shade, Watie Shade, Walker Smith and Brady Smith.

Friends and family are invited for a time of visitation on Monday, September 25, 2023 from 1:00pm until 6:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home, with family present from 4:00pm until 6:00pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Crittenden family. Lena was a faithful supporter of the Annual Veteran Program and would ask to consider in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in her honor to Swimmer Baptist Church, attention Veteran Program, at PO Box 287, Hulbert, OK 74441.