Melissa Marie Battaglia

August 14, 1963 - April 1, 2021

Funeral services for Melissa Marie Battaglia will be Monday, April 5, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Okemah Church of Christ with Bro. Richard Foster officiating. Melissa Marie Battaglia was born August 14, 1963 in Okemah, Oklahoma to O. Mac Smith and Marilyn (Coker) Smith. She passed away Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Okemah at the age of 57. Melissa was a 1981 graduate of Okemah High School. She later attended Eastern Jr. College if Wilburton on a basketball scholarship before receiving a bachelor’s degree in Science and Education from East Central University. In 1991, in Lake Tahoe, she married Anthony Battaglia; he later preceded her in death on May 3, 1999. Melissa was no stranger to hard work and had careers in banking, teaching and as a scrub tech. The last 10 years she spent standing up for the children of Oklahoma as a child welfare specialist and activities seeking convection specialist. she loved and cherished family above all else, was fiercely loyal to friends and family and loved taking in the sights while driving, spending quality time at the lake and watching her beloved football. Also preceding her in death was her father. She is survived by her mother, Marilyn Smith of Okemah; her son, Antonio Battaglia of Stillwater; her daughter, Natalie Rose Battaglia of Stillwater; her brother, Craig and Laura Smith of Edmond; her sister, Allison and Shauna Smith of Omaha, Nebraska; her niece, Leah Smith of Boston, Massachusetts and a host of friends and extended family. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home. All in attendance will be required to wear a mask. Also the family would like those in attendance to wear bright colors in memory of Melissa. The service will be live streamed through our Parks Brothers Funeral Home Facebook page for those who are not able to attend. Donations may be made to the Okfuskee County Gift of Love established with BancFirst. Online condolences may be made at www.ParksBrothersFuneralHome.com.