Obituaries

Funeral Service for Melba Joe (Hefton) Baker, 81, of Vian, Oklahoma will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at Round Mountain Church in Vian, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

She was born on February 16, 1941 in Carlile, Oklahoma to Niva Iona (Vessell) Hefton and O.L “Dink” Hefton and passed away on October 29, 2022. She was married to Donald Baker on November 29, 1958 in Vian, Oklahoma. He preceded her in death. She was a Kindergarten Teacher’s Aide for over 30 years for Vian Public Schools and a member of Round Mountain Church.

Survivors are one daughter, Donna Jo Richey and husband, Terry, of Vian, OK; one son, Kevin Baker of Vian, OK; six grandchildren, Heath Richey of Vian, OK, Thomas Richey and wife, Ronda, of Mountain Home, AR, Lisa Walters and husband, D.J. of Vian, OK, Terry Joe Richey and wife, Candace, of Vian, OK, Dustin Baker and wife, Shila, of Gans, OK, and Megan Cheater and husband, Patrick, of Gans, OK; 15 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Ashton, Aidan, Cayden, Autumn, Connor, Avery, Nathen, Gunner, Kodi, Katie, Bryson, Daxtin, August and Savvy; two great-great-grandchildren, Everleigh and Wilder; one sister, Niva Nell Hefton of Gentry, AR; two brothers, Dale Hefton of Thomaston, GA and Wendell Hefton of Houston, TX; and several other relatives and friends.

Melba was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Donald Baker; four sisters, Reba Lindsey, Lois McCauley, Willene Lipe and Wanda Young; one brother, Bill Hefton; and her parents.

Active Pallbearers will be Heath Richey, Thomas Richey, Terry Joe Richey, Dustin Baker, D.J. Walters, Patrick Cheater and Darrell Cardwell.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Aidan Richey, Cayden Flynn, Connor Flynn, Gunner Richey, Bryson Richey, Daxtin Baker, August Cheater, Nathen Cheater, Preston Remer and Carla Remer McCoy.

Viewing will be 10 AM – 8 PM Wednesday at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw, OK where the family will greet 6 – 8 PM.