Mary Lovelady Baker

Mary Lovelady Baker was born November 16, 1919 in rural Okfuskee County, near Okemah, Oklahoma; the daughter of Harvey A. and Florence (Kidd) Lovelady. Mary was raised near what is now known as Woodward Corner in Okfuskee County where her parents operated a grocery store before moving to' Okemah where she attended schools.'  Mary was married to Clarence ìSieî Baker on March 7, 1937 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.'  The couple made their initial home on the Standley ranch, north of Pharaoh, Oklahoma, near Okemah. ' Mary would often prepare meals for the cowboys at the ranch headquarters as they returned from their day of working cattle.'  A lunch consisting of some of the best fried chicken and most delicious pie imaginable.'  The couple later moved the family consisting of their son, Joe and daughter, Carol to Weleetka, Oklahoma in 1951 and then later to Cleveland, Oklahoma in 1955.'  Mary was described by her family as a hardworking and loving woman who dedicated her life to providing the best home possible to her husband and children.'  She valued her friends and the time she spent with them and enjoyed visiting.'  In addition to her famous fried chicken, Mary was known throughout the area for her Coconut Cream pie.'  When the couple moved to Cleveland, Mary joined and was active in the First Baptist Church including assisting with the Girls in Action Program (GAís) for many years.'  Sie and Mary later attended the Western Heights Baptist Church and then returned to the First Baptist by transfer of letter in 1983.'  Mary was always involved in Sunday school and assisted for many years with dinners and church socials.'  Mary enjoyed and loved her family and especially liked spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.'  Her hobbies included working crossword puzzles and sewing.'  She was a friend to many throughout the area and will be remembered for her kind and gentle spirit, always ready to assist those in need.'  Mary and Sie spent countless hours fishing together until she was unable for health reasons to participate any longer.'  Sie preceded her in death on December 22, 2000.'  Shortly after her husbandís death, Mary moved to the Baptist Retirement Village and resided there until October of 2008 when she moved to the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home. Mary went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the age of eighty-nine years.'  In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Wayne Lovelady. She is survived by a daughter and her husband, Carol and Gary Moore of Cleveland, Oklahoma; a son and his wife, Joe and Charlotte Baker of Cleveland, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Jeff Moore of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Brent Moore of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Greg Moore of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Kim Baker Sassi of Paris, France and Jason Baker of Woodland Hills, California; thirteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandsons; and a sister, Mildred McKee of Bethany, Oklahoma. '  Serving as pallbearers will be Jeff Moore, Brent Moore, Greg Moore, Cody Moore, Jason Baker, and Alex Moore.