Otilie "Tela" Baker

Otilie “Tela” Marie Baker, age 72, passed away at her home on May 22, 2019. She was born February 24, 1947 in Pawnee County OK to Orlove and Ical (Hunsaker) Carter.
She grew up and attended school through 8th grade in Maramec and graduated from high school in Quay, OK in 1964. Tela became an educator after high school, graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in elementary education in 1967. She went on to attain her master’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University. She met and married her first husband, Vern Simon, shortly after graduating high school. They were married on May 29, 1965. Vern and Tela moved to Arizona in 1967 and both taught on a Navajo Indian Reservation for eight years. In 1974, their first son, William was born. Shortly after, they moved back to Oklahoma and made their home on a farm east of Yale and in 1977, their second son, Caleb was born. She worked as an elementary teacher for the Yale Public Schools until her retirement in 2001. They attended Jennings First Baptist Church and were very active in many different ministries. Vern passed away in 2005 and in 2008, Tela sold their farm and moved to Stillwater to be closer to family. She took a part-time job with Porter Insurance Agency in 2011 and there met her current husband, Jerry Baker. Jerry and Tela were married on January 2, 2012 and made their home in Glencoe OK. Jerry and Tela made many wonderful memories together as they traveled to many different places over the last seven years.
Tela was a wonderful wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She spent her days loving her family and making sure that they were well taken care of. She devoted a great amount of her time to making memories with her grandchildren, whether it be creating arts and crafts, enjoying hiking adventures or hosting sleepovers and cookie making sessions. Her grandchildren enjoyed their time with their grandma. She was a blessing to those who knew her and her love for God was very evident in every area of her life. She was a very humble woman whose daily example pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ. She was a strong woman of prayer. If she knew of a need that someone had, she would do her best to make sure that it was met.
Tela is survived by her husband, Jerry Baker, her son’s William Simon and wife Gina, children Tevin, Taleah, Kaylee and Kimberlee of Stillwater, Caleb Simon and wife Rebecca, children Colter and Carter of Creede, Colorado, Jerry’s children, son, Gary Baker and wife Robin of Ripley, OK, their children, Kierah Baker, children Noah, Dorian and Desmun of Moore, Kurt Baker and wife Loranda, children Ethan and Wesley of Ripley and Kit Baker of Ripley. Jerry’s son, Kerry Baker and wife Janice of Perkins, their children, Clay Baker and wife Amber, children Blake, Dalton and Alex of Ripley, Matthew Baker and wife Shauna and son Tyson of Perkins.
Other members of her family include her brother Prentiss Carter and wife Phyllis; brother Rex Carter and wife Gladys; sister Barbara Henager (and the late Morris Henager); sister Edna Beagle and husband Kenneth; sister Margaret Rogers (and the late Dave Rogers); sister Patricia Hobson and husband Kenneth; sister-in-law Esther Carter (and her late brother, Dale Carter), many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.