Vera Jean (Bethel) Baker was born January 15, 1923, the first of four children and the last to go be with the Lord. She left this world and entered the gates of heaven on January 7, 2025, just eight days shy of her 102nd birthday. Vera was born in Fort Smith, Ark. to the late Henry and Beulah (Davis) Bethel. She was raised in Beggs and graduated from Beggs High School in 1940. During World War II, she worked at Camp Gruber as a telephone operator. After Paul returned from the war and recovered from his injuries, they were married on May 10, 1945, in the Beggs First United Methodist Church Parsonage. They spent their honeymoon and the first year of their marriage in McKinney, Texas while Paul completed his tour of duty. They then returned to Beggs, where Paul worked for OG&E and Vera worked for Harvey’s Dry Goods. Vera later worked for Montgomery Ward before going to work at Beggs Schools as an assistant to the principal and librarian. Paul and Vera attended First United Methodist Church of Beggs, where they were faithful members for over eight decades. Vera celebrated her 100th birthday in the Fellowship Hall, where she proudly received the honor of becoming the 2,813th member of the Centenarians of January 15, 1923 – January 7, 2025
Oklahoma.
In addition to her husband and parents, Vera was proceeded in death by her younger siblings, Bill Bethel, Doris Ann Collins and Betty Joyce Hudson, as well as her son-in-law Jerry Hammond. Survivors include daughter Janie Hammond of Beggs; son Jack Baker and wife, Ginger of Beggs; as well as six beloved grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Friends and family may visit the funeral home on Monday, January 13, 2025, from 9-11:30 a.m. Funeral Services will follow at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Beggs.
Memorial contributions may be made in Vera’s memory to the Beggs First United Methodist Church Restoration Fund.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mc-Clendon-Winters Funeral Home of Beggs. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Vera’s Tribute Page at www.mcclendon- winters.com.
