Margaret Belle Ashes

Margaret Belle Ashes, 84, of Porum, Oklahoma, passed away on March 6, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital in Muskogee. Born on December 28, 1941, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, she was the beloved daughter of Joseph Ashes and Pauline (Rattler) Ashes Walker.

Margaret spent her life in service to others as a dedicated educator who taught the Cherokee Language at Checotah Public School through the Johnson O'Malley program. She also worked as a nurse’s aide in local nursing homes, and she remained deeply involved in her faith community as a Bible school and Sunday school teacher at Faith Temple. Her commitment to service carried her to Haiti on mission trips, where she continued to live out her values of compassion and care.

She is survived by her sisters, Leona Wildcat of Porum and Joncie Birdtail and husband Henry; her brother-in-law, David Francis of Eufaula; and her cherished nieces and nephews, Gary Estep, June Fine and husband Roger, Mark Estep, Jason Estep and wife Kim, Anthony Wildcat and wife Mamie, Luman Wildcat Jr., Melissa Wildcat, Jonathan Wildcat and wife Mary, Raelene Wildcat Williams and husband Will, Rhonda Oliveira and husband Antonio, Frederick J. Francis and wife Malissa, Aurelia Joy Francis, Robert Birdtail and wife Jammie, Terrill Anderson, and numerous other nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Pauline Ashes; infant sisters Priscilla and Clarissa Ashes; sisters Josephine Francis and Irene Estep; brother Ernest Ashes; and nephews Randy Estep, Michael Estep, Joseph Francis, Jerrell Birdtail, and Derek Birdtail.