Marlene "Marti" Salmons passed from this life to her eternal home on November 30, 2025. Marti was a bright light in any room she entered; her smile was infectious to all around her. She was made to be in front of the crowd. She always made sure everyone around her was cared for and loved.

Marti was born April 4, 1938, in Oklahoma City to parents Charley and Agnes (Swanda) Zoubek. When she was born, there was a terrible snowstorm. Her father had to drive through pastures to get to the hospital.

Marti was raised on a farm on Banner Road, 1½ miles north of Highway 152 and five miles east of Union City, OK with her sister, Shirley. While there, she and her sister played their accordions for many functions. In high school, Marti was the captain of the basketball team, cheerleader with her sister, and secretary of her class. She graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1955 and received a scholastic scholarship to Oklahoma State University, then known as Oklahoma A&M College. She enrolled in a 2-year secretarial science course, which she completed. While at A&M, she was a member of the Orange and Black Quill Honor Society.

In 1957, Marti began working at Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company, first as secretary in the engineering department, then Executive Secretary for the Vice President of Sales & Marketing. She was with OG&E for 10 years. She served on numerous committees while at OG&E and was Chairman of the Women's Committee, which planned and conducted monthly dinner meetings for all the women in the company.

On May 29, 1959, Marti married Robert Dale Salmons in Oklahoma City and lived there until their move to Bethany, OK in 1970. On December 6, 1966, they adopted a son, James Bryan, who was born November 24, 1966, and on May 26, 1969, a daughter, Jenifer Leigh, who was born April 29,1969. Marti left her job at OG&E in 1966 to raise her family but kept in touch with the business world by working at temporary jobs. In 1988, she was employed as Office Manager for Supra Key Control and Multacc Corporation, where she worked for 10 years.

A favorite past time throughout Marti's life was singing. She sang in her church choir for nearly 60 years, 40 of that at her beloved church, Council Road Baptist, with her dear friend Norman Behymer as her Worship Leader. She was a member of Sweet Adelines International for 36 years. She traveled throughout the United States and enjoyed many years of entertaining with her chorus and quartets. She chaired and served on numerous committees and had been the choreographer and tenor section leader for her chorus. She also held a regional office as Membership Development Representative in her 5-state region traveling around the region helping choruses with membership.

Marti and her family were involved in the Czech community in Yukon as part of her Czech Heritage, participating in the Czech Festival parades, and she was one of the "Besada Dancers." Her cousins were so important to her and they would regularly get together for "Cousins" lunches.

Another favorite past time was being a part of the drama team at her church, Council Road Baptist Church. While doing Summerstock with her church, she had one of the lead parts in "Music Man" and "Sound of Music." In the Christmas Pageants, she auditioned and won a lead part for four pageant productions.

Marti's most important thing in her life before her family was her faith. Her strong faith in Jesus Christ brought her through any storm she faced. She carried that faith to her family and her friends as well. She made sure her family had that same faith in Christ. Both Jim and Jenny are very involved with their church and keep Christ the center of their lives. Marti served at the church in many ways. She was the director of her connection class, attended book clubs, women's groups, Bible study fellowship groups, and also volunteered at "The ROC."

Marti was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Robert Dale Salmons; her parents, Charley and Agnes (Swanda) Zoubek; brother-in-law, Herman Hendrickson; son-in-law, Darren Horn; and the second love of her life, Raymond Kellogg.

Marti is survived by her children, Jim (Diane) Salmons of Oklahoma City, Jenny (Tim) Williams of Yukon; her sister, Shirley Hendrickson of Bethany; stepdaughter, Carrie (Kenny) Williams of Edmond; her precious grandchildren, Josh Horn, Gabriella Salmons, Giuliana Salmons, Genevieve Salmons, Daniel (Alex) Williams and Kevin (Kayla) Williams; niece, Sheryl Hendrickson and her son Arthur; and nephew, Dahl (Kimber) Hendrickson and their daughter Ellison; along with many friends and relatives too numerous to count. Dorthy Lynch, thank you for your long friendship; and Norman and Denise and all at Council Road Baptist, thank you for all of the years of faithful fellowship.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Council Road Baptist Church on December 6, at 10:00 am with interment following in Czech Cemetery in Yukon, Oklahoma.