Merry Monroe passed away at home, Monday, August 24, 2026. Services are 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Chickasaw Nation Community Center, Rev. Woodrow Wilson will officiate, burial will follow at High Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Criswell Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Merry was born December 20, 1950, in Claremore, Oklahoma to the late Rev. Howard L. & Lorena (Bevenue) Baker. Merry was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles William Baker, Bobby Baker Tartsah, grandson, Atreyu Millican, and son in-law, Aaron Millican.

Merry is survived by her husband, Leonard W. Monroe whom she married January 27,1970; daughter Christy Monroe-Millican, son James Monroe, brothers Howard Baker Jr. & Malcom Buddy Tartsah. Nephews BJ Baker, Jimmy Lee Baker, & niece Michelle Baker Harjo.

Merry graduated from Byng High school in 1969 and started working for Byng Schools in 1970 as a teacher’s aide. Merry worked for Byng Public Schools for 47 years before retiring in 2017.

Her duties for Byng included teacher’s aide, bus driver, office secretary, and JOM representative, working with Native American students from pre-K to 12th grade. In 1998 she was assigned to Byng High School working with at-risk students, both Native and non-Native in addition to her JOM duties.

In 2011, Merry earned a Bachelor's in Arts Degree in Native American Studies. She would soon begin teaching the Chickasaw Language course before retiring.

Merry was recognized by the National JOM Association as the teacher of the year in 2018. She was honored by AARP Oklahoma in 2018 for her lifetime of service. In 2019 Merry was awarded as the Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year.

Merry was heavily involved with Ada First Indian Baptist Church. She was also a member of Native Praise, where she performed throughout the United States as well as the United Kingdom.