Betty Baker

Betty J. Wells Baker passed peacefully from this life on December 18th, 2012, after a long bout with dementia. Betty was born October 16th, 1929, to Mary Delphia Russell Wells and Victor Wells. Reared in the Ardmore, OK, area, Betty attended Dickson schools where she graduated as Valedictorian at the age of 16. Besides academics, she was also a starter on the girls' basketball team. She married William L. 'Bill' Baker, Jr., on December 31st, 1950, and they made their home in Oklahoma City. She worked as an Executive Secretary for Stanlin Oil Company in downtown Oklahoma City until the birth of her first child. Betty was a full-time mother to four children, only again working outside the home as an office manager to an optician after her children were raised, and for a short stint at her son's dental office. Betty was a great cook, loved entertaining family and their many friends in her home, and always sent you home with some extra treats. She was a member of the Church of Christ since her teen years, and made her last church home with the congregation at 1301 N. Drexel Boulevard. Possessing a lovely singing voice, she continued her passion for music as long as she lived. Betty is survived by her brother, Col. Ullie C. Wells (Ret.) and Elizabeth of Tucson, AZ; sister Carol J. Kennedy and Charley of Amarillo, TX; sister Lorene Wells and friend Eleanor Swan of Denton, TX; and brother Victor C. Wells of Dallas, TX; daughter Deborah A. Sellers and Mark, Drumright, OK; son W. Martin Baker, Oklahoma City; son Larry S. Baker, DDS, Edmond, OK; and son T. Alan Baker of Oklahoma City. Betty was the proud grandmother of Autumn Caldwell and Matthew, Sarah Mayle and Corey, Matthew Sellers and Christina, and Ryan Baker. Her great-grandchildren are Jude Sellers, Zac Caldwell, John Mayle, Anya McGehee, Shelby Caldwell, Tyrus Sellers, Grant Mayle, and Myra Sellers. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends. Those who passed before Betty were her parents, Victor and Mary; beloved husband of more than 38 years, Bill; brother, Clyde Perryman; and brother, J. V. Wells and Alta. Former sister-in-law Pat Wells passed the following week. A Memorial Service for Betty will be held at the Church of Christ at 1301 N. Drexel Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73107, on January 21st, 2013, at 2 PM. Her cremains will be interred after the service at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church. The family issues a special thank you to Betty's thoughtfully caring roommate, Mrs. Lessie Ingle, and all her wonderful caregivers over the past few years: The entire staff of the Windsor Hills Nursing Center, Centennial Hospice, Integris Hospice, Pam Chadwell, PA, Waddah Nassar, MD, and Erin Glasgow, MD.