Marie Long, 95, passed away Thursday, Aug. 6 at her home in Gallatin. Services were held Monday, Aug. 10 at McWilliams Funeral Home in Gallatin. Family visitation was held Sunday afternoon. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery near Gallatin. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gallatin Church of Christ or Comfort Care Hospice in Cameron in care of the funeral home.
Edna Marie Long was born Dec. 17, 1913, to Harvey and Paulina (Troxel) Stretch of Madeline, Mo., about 10 miles north of Gallatin. Her mother unexpectedly died of influenza when Marie was about 18 months old; and her aunt Dinah Rosella Stretch stepped into the role of mother.
Marie went to the only available country school in Madeline.
Around age 21, she went to beauty school in St. Joseph, to learn the trade of beautician. Her first professional job was in Columbia, Mo. Since she had never been away from home before, she got severely homesick the first week away, and decided to quit her job and return home. Within a few days of her return, she found a job in Gallatin working at Elsie Lynch’s beauty shop.
While living at Elsie’s house, Marie became aware that Hubert Long seemed interested in her and they were united in marriage on April 28, 1940 in Gallatin.
Hubert and Marie purchased a building near the square in Gallatin where she operated a beauty shop for several years. Marie opened a beauty shop in her home in the early 1960’s and stayed in business until her retirement in the mid-1990’s. She always had a full calendar of appointments and would even provide transportation to those that needed it.
Not only did Marie cook all the meals, do all the cleaning and run a full time beauty shop, she also helped Hubert’s photography business by tinting or coloring black and white photos.
Marie was a great cook, and enjoyed gardening. She would always put out a bigger vegetable garden that she needed so she could can much of the harvest and give the rest to friends and family. She loved flowers and was especially fond of raising iris, violets, and other flowers which beautified their home.
Marie grew up in a family who shared a deep faith in God; and was a member of the Church of Christ in Gallatin. She taught children’s Sunday school classes for years and always attended church services when health and weather permitted. She often extended hospitality to traveling evangelists, church visitors, the needy and to strangers.
Marie lived an exemplary life of faith and service to God, family and friends. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Marie’s survivors include her children, Kenneth Long of Clayton, Ind., Beverly Long Karns of St. Joseph and James Long of Lee Summit; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and two great- great grandchildren.
