Service to he Held for Gayla Noreen Cathey

On April 28, 2025, Gayla Noreen Cathey went home to be with her Lord. She was born March 14, 1945 to H.J.

Baldwin and Golden Ruth (Skinner) Baldwin in Holdenville, Oklahoma. She grew up in Savanna, Oklahoma graduating as the Salutatorian of the Class of 1963. Upon graduation, she worked for Seamprufe of McAlester in the summer, then work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in the fall of 1963. She worked there until the close of operator services in March 1978. She also worked at McAlester Regional Health Center from January 1982 until her retirement March 2007.

Gayla was a member of the First Baptist Church in McAlester, Oklahoma. She married Bobby Lee

Cathey in April 16, 1998 in Van Buren, Arkansas. Gayla was preceded in death by her biological dad H.J.

Baldwin; her daddy John Edd Walker; husband Bobby Lee Cathey; daughter Ruth Annette King; and a special cousin Everett Darrell Skinner.

She is survived by her mother Golden Ruth Skinner Walker of McAlester; grandson Tarrant King and wife Andrea of McAlester; greatgranddaughter Laila King of McAlester; and a host of cousins. Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 2nd, at Holdenville Cemetery with Chaplain Jeremy Scott officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Tarrant King and David King.

Services under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home of Holdenville.