Malinda Blackbird

Malinda Marie Blackbird was born in Tahlequah, OK on September 29, 1983, the daughter of Bruce Edward Blackbird and Mary Ann Owl. She attended school at Tahlequah High School before going on to graduate from Oaks High School. She was quite the softball player during her school days. As she began her working career, she received a position as supervisor for a local call center for numerous years. Above all her accomplishments, her biggest joy in life was her two children, Daniel and Jasmine. She cherished any time spent with them and regularly attended her daughter’s band recitals. She shared many memories with her long-time companion, Justin Clayton and her many close friends. They loved to catch the local festivals and concerts together. Some of her favorite bands was Jason Boland and the Stragglers and Whiskey Myers, just to name a few. She was always up to travel, taking several family vacations to places like Branson or Kansas City, Missouri. However, to her, there wasn’t much better than time spent with those she loves, taking in the outdoors, down by the river. She loved to go fishing, bon fires, camping and float trips down the Illinois. She never passed up a good thrift store and her go-to for shopping was Amazon. When she was home, she could be found testing out new recipes in the kitchen, experimenting with lots of different spices. She kept with her heritage as well, with traditional foods like meat pies. Nothing compared to her dad’s deer jerky, which Malinda always looked forward to. She had a love for life and could light up room with her wholehearted laugh. She had the greatest sense of humor and was continually looking to bring a smile to those around her. This big hearted soul was called home on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Tahlequah, OK at the age of 40 years old. She will forever hold a special placed in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

She has gone on to join her maternal grandmother, Jennie Owl, paternal grandparents, Dave Sr. and Lena Blackbird and her brother, Nathan Blackbird.

She is remembered by her father, Bruce Blackbird and wife Tammy and mother, Mary Owl and companion Mark Batt of Sallisaw, OK, and husband, Justin Dwayne Clayton of the home. Her legacy lives on through her two adored children, Jasmine Moreno and Daniel Moreno, both of Tahlequah, OK, along with one brother Logan Reasor of Oaks, OK, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends and loved ones that will cherish her memory. “She lived, she laughed, she left us with a smile.”

Funeral services for Malinda will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 1:00pm at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor James Leach officiating. She will be laid to rest alongside her brother at Bill Batt Cemetery in Rocky Ford.

Serving as pallbearers are Matthew Dew, Michael Dew, Justin Hall, Chad Jones, Huk Blackbird and Stevie Blackbird. Honorary pallbearers include Robert Blackbird, Brandon Lewis, Thomas Blackbird, Rowdy Blackbird, Jess Jones and David Blackbird.

A time of visitation will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 1:00pm until 5:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home.