On December 7, 1938, God blessed Cordilia and Eugenio Montano with a beautiful baby girl they named Maria Isabel Montano. They then added two boys Joe Montano, Jimmy Montano (who died as an infant) and a baby sister Mary Olivia Montano. She was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico and later the little family migrated to California where they eventually made their home in Truckee, California. She met a good looking Okie named Haskell Erwin, when his cousins small daughter Dian (Erwin) beckoned her and said, "He wants to meet you." It was love at first sight and they married in Reno, Nevada on July 15, 1956. Maria's family was of the Catholic faith but upon coming to Oklahoma she also valued the Assembly of God faith. She loved to read and was always learning. Maria was the first woman to run for the School Board, and although she didn't win she set a precedent. She and Haskell had five children together. They spent their time together learning how to cook game and country food. She was very good at it considering she was hispanic and had grown up in a hispanic family. She and Haskell ran several taverns and she considered herself a business woman. Later in life she even had rent houses. She was a very hard worker and when her husband died at a very young age, she started working as a Certified Medication Aide at the Antlers Nursing Home and the Choctaw Nursing Home. Maria also spent a short time working at the Pushmataha Hospital. Maria then married Nick Thurman and many years later became a widow again. Her favorite pastime was dancing. She loved to dress up in her bling, cowboy hats, and boots and go out dancing. She was the first one on the floor and the last to leave and all eyes would be on her with her beautiful long black hair, red lipstick, and beautiful white smile. Her personality was infectious, she lived out loud, and everyone loved to be around her. She said what was on her mind sometimes to a fault. You never knew what would come out of her mouth. Above all else, Maria loved her family.

Maria is preceded in death by both husbands: Haskell Erwin and Nick Thurman; parents: Cordilia and Eugene Montano; brothers: Jimmy Montano and Joe Montano; grandson: Jeffery Ben; granddaughter: Tristy Erwin; great-granddaughter: Blakelin Miller; and nephew: Michael Bevins Montano.

She is survived by her children: Linda Miller, Glenda Cocke and husband Mike, Alvie Erwin and wife Sara, Roger Erwin and wife Jackie, Debbie Gregg and husband Danny; sister: Mary Allen and husband Darry Lee; grandchildren: Crystal Michels and Johnny, Joe Russell and wife Kristy, Alisa Ben, Teamon Erwin, Donnie Gregg and wife Lacey, Dusty Gregg, Blake Miller, Mark Miller, and Misty Erwin; 15 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Services will be held Monday, September 9, 2024 at 2PM at Nolia Cemetery. Pallbearers include Joe Russell, Teamon Erwin, Donnie Gregg, Dusty Gregg, Blake Miller, and Mark Miller. Honorary Pallbearers include Danny Gregg, Johnny Micheals, Mike Cocke, Darry Lee Allen, and Rodney Allen.

Services are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Service of Antlers, Oklahoma.