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Rita Massey Baker
Rita Massey Baker was born Nov. 28, 1934, in Gypsy to Orville and Eunice Williams Massey. She passed form this life at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, 2020 in Tulsa, at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 12 days.
Rita is survived by her husband of 65 years, Johnnie Dale Baker, of Bristow; her sister Doris Turnbull, of Gypsy; three daughters and their husbands, Sylvia Hyde and Osman, of Broken Arrow, Rebecca Johns and Judd, of Bristow, and Laura Weber and Tom, of Bristow; her grandchildren: John Hyde and Amy, of Tulsa; Jesse Hyde of Tulsa; Jennifer Johns Medlock and Patrick, of Bristow; Jordan Johns, of Albany, New York; Jameson Johns, of Oklahoma City; Alexandra Weber Seery and Larry, of Broken Arrow and Audrey Weber Fabriga and Romel, of Muskogee; great-grandchildren: Emily and Evan Hyde; Eloise Medlock; Blair Chaney and Brayden Kreps; Zane, Logan and Daniel Seery and Braylon and Brinley Fabriga.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents Orville and Eunice Williams Massey; her sister Orvilene Schaublin; and grandson Nicholas Hyde.
Rita graduated from Gypsy High School in 1952 and attended Central State College in Edmond.
Her work career included American Airlines, Sun Oil Company, society editor of the Bristow News, city treasurer for the City of Bristow and Bristow Memorial Hospital from which she retired in 1997.
Rita was a faithful member of the Bristow Seventh Day Adventist Church since July of 1969. Prior to that, she was a member of the First Tulsa Seventh Day Adventist Church. Her many duties for the Bristow church included Church Treasurer. Her last official duty was head of the church’s Community Service.
Rita loved to read, garden and spend time with her family. She loved animals and had a special place in her heart for her cats. Her favorite place to visit was Branson, Missouri where she and her husband, Johnnie, visited as often as they could.
In addition to her beloved family, Rita leaves behind five nieces and one nephew and their families, plus a host of other relatives and dear friends.
A Memorial service was held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, at First Free Will Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hutchinsmaplesfuneralhome.com.