Our dear sister Sheila, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, died on Monday, July 20, 2020 at St. Francis Hospital of complications from COVID. Sheila was 72.

Sheila was born on March 30, 1948 to Jack and Agnes Martin in St. Louis, Missouri. She moved with the family to San Angelo, Texas when she was three years old, and grew up in the wilds of West Texas which she would write about in her beautiful poetry as an adult.

Sheila studied English Literature and received her Masters at the University of Tulsa. Sheila was a published poet, teacher and writer. She taught English and creative writing at Tulsa Community College, NSUBA and the University of Tulsa for over 25 years, as well as teaching Creative Writing Workshops in her home for adult learners.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents and a beloved brother, Kevin Martin. She is survived by two sons, Brennan and Sean Black, to whom she devoted her love and life. She is also survived by six siblings and their spouses: Mary Kay Bael and her husband, Jim, Brian Martin and his wife Evelyn, Eileen Dunne and her husband, Phil, Bridget Martin, Terry Martin and his wife Jackie, and Erin Hicks and her husband Dale. She also had fourteen nieces and nephews that loved her and the joy she would bring into a room.

Sheila has a large community of friends in Tulsa, Oklahoma from many walks of life, who will mourn her loss. She was a light spirit and had a thousand-watt smile which she would share with you in a flash, and it was impossible not to return it. Sheila loved to be silly and could have you laughing no matter how hard you tried to be serious... it was a true gift.

To close with words published by "Living Arts of Tulsa" from a narrative Sheila called "Fireflies":

"The journey to his kingdom of flickering light encompasses the surrounding trees and creates a cocoon that only observers weaving in and out of clouds can find. Afterward, the veils that once covered our eyes seem lifted." Sheila Black