Mary Elizabeth Long met God in the very early morning on Monday, May 17, 2021. She was dressed in her Sunday best with earrings and pearls adorning her. She looked at her Lord with a smile and asked him, “What took you so long? I have been ready for a long time.” Shyness was not something she knew, but His quietness was soothing.
She was born at home in Barnhill, Ohio, on October 21, 1922, the second daughter of Walter Starr and Emma Jane (Johnson) Starr. She had an older sister, Myrtle, and younger half-brother, Bobby, who all preceded her in death. Mary’s father was a coal miner, and the family lived her teenage years in Midvale, Ohio where she was a graduate of Midvale High School. On May 15, 1941, at 19 years of age, Mary wed La Moyne Frederick Long, son of Frederick and Hazel Long. Mary’s first born was Kenneth who was born on March 28, 1942 and preceded her in death. La Moyne worked for the railroad as an inspector and repairman. On June 26, 1942, he became an enlisted man in the Army. Mary was pregnant with their second son, Larry Wayne Long, who was born on July 10, 1943. La Moyne returned home from war on August 26, 1945 and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He spent time in a sanitarium before he could return to his family and job. Mary lived with his parents during his treatment.
Life eventually returned to normal for Mary and La Moyne, and they purchased a home in Uhrichsville, Ohio. God bestowed a surprise when Jeffery Long was born on December 3, 1954. Mary and La Moyne were busy raising their three boys. Mary worked at Sears in Uhrichsville and was later the bookkeeper at LaPorte Furniture Store. She loved caring for her family and was a den mother for her sons’ Boy Scout troops. Mary and La Moyne loved to dance and sometimes were busy 3 nights a week. Mary was also an avid reader who enjoyed mysteries and biographies. La Moyne retired at 62 and, shortly thereafter, Mary retired to spend time with her husband.
Mary’s children helped the family grow. Their eldest son, Kenneth (wives, Viola who survives and Jean who is deceased), gave her grandchildren, Keith, Lisa, Beth (husband, Brian who is deceased), and LuHelen; great-grandchildren, Scott, Brittany, Brandy, Ryan, Zachary, and Mitch; and great-great-grandchildren, Karlie, Brian, and Chase. Their son, Larry (wife, Karla), brought her grandchildren, Darek (husband, Paul) and Erik, and great-grandchildren, Piper and Maddox. Finally, their son, Jeffery (wife, Debbi), added grandchildren, Aaron (Krystal), Anna, and Kathleen.
Mary and La Moyne were married for 64 years and were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary before he died on April 18, 2005. Mary was suffering from depression because of her loss until she began to socialize and dance again. At a dance, she met Harley Corbett who became her significant other for the next thirteen years. Mary loved to eat out, socialize with her many friends, and dance. She was a former member of the Dover VFW Auxiliary and Uhrichsville Moose Auxiliary, and she could be seen on many evenings at the Uhrichsville Eagles dancing the night away.
On February 15, 2020, she entered into assisted living at The Inn at Northwood Village in Dover, Ohio. Covid and lockdowns took its toll on her mental and physical state, and in December of 2020, she started dementia care in the same facility. On April 12, 2021, she was escorted to Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, to live. She spent time in St. Joseph Hospital and under hospice care at the home of her son, Larry, until her passing.
Please join us for services on Friday, June 25, at 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 633 North Main Street, Uhrichsville, Ohio. Interment will follow at Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Mary’s memory may be made to your favorite charity.
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R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
740.922.1970
www.lindseyfh.com