Mary Catherine Long

Mary Catherine Long, 81, Bona, Missouri, was called to her heavenly home on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. She was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 5, 1938, to William “Bill” Major Thompson and Ruby Katheryn (Yancey) Jones.

Mary attended elementary school at Gum Springs, and later graduated from Stockton High School in 1956. She was united in marriage to Buddy Lee Long, of Aldrich, Missouri, on October 24, 1956 and to this union three sons were born: Buddy Russ, Ronn Lee and Ryan Lynn.

For 63 years, Mary attended the Bona Church of Christ. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized on June 30, 1957.

As a hard-working, independent, and industrious young lady, Mary began her first job at the age of 13, cleaning a one-room school house for $0.50; and at 17, she worked at Hudson’s Café and Hallmark Cards in Kansas City.

In 1960, she began working in the educational field, first as a secretary at Dadeville R-II School, then teaching Head Start in Greenfield, Missouri.

In 1970, Mary settled in a career for the next 25 years as a program assistant in the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) Office in Greenfield. She enjoyed working with the public and serving the farmers of Dade County.

Mary retired in 1995 after more than 30 years of working outside the home, but it wasn’t long until she sought additional employment to keep busy; she found herself employed at Frogs and Friends, a children’s clothing shop, in Bolivar, and then at the Fair Play bank for another 15 years.

Family members preceding her in death were parents William Thompson and Ruby Jones; brothers, Gary Thompson and Robert “Bob” Thompson; and sister, Linda Morgan.

Survivors include her husband, Bud, of the home; son Russ and wife, Beth Long, of Lockwood, and grandchildren – Erica Jones, Andy and Rusta Morrow, Rylan Long and Rachel Long, and great-grandchildren Taylar, Josie, Kohlton and Rory Morrow; son Ronn and wife, Karen, of Wishart, and grandchildren Dustin Dickerson, Kyle and Lauren, and Wyatt Long; son Ryan and wife, Lori, of Aldrich, and grandchildren Clay and Cole Long; one sister, Zula Kay Daneshfar of Springfield; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mary was outgoing, loved life and enjoyed many things; in addition to her career, she was an avid gardener and loved working on her lawn – mowing and planting trees and flowers; she canned produce, baked, and loved to cook; she was an accomplished seamstress and spent many hours making special dresses for her granddaughters; she was a help meet on the family farm, and made her home a welcoming place for all.
Mary had many lifelong friends and formed more lasting friendships later in life as well; she loved and served others and extended a helping hand to anyone in need.

Her greatest joy, perhaps, came from her role as wife, mother and grandmother. She was especially happy when, after raising three boys, three granddaughters blessed and balanced out the family. Each of her grandchildren though felt as if he/she was the favorite - because they were! She was an encourager and cheerleader for whatever activities they chose to pursue, and they knew they were loved. Her great-grandchildren were just as special.

Mary’s presence will be greatly missed, but the emptiness her family feels now will be filled again when they are reunited with her in Heaven.

Services were held Saturday, February 16, at the Bona Church of Christ with ministers Jim Poland and Cory Orr officiating. Burial followed at the Bona Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home in Strafford, Missouri. Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com. Services were under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.