Mary (Alexander) Long Obituary (1920

Guymon, Oklahoma - Mary Long, 96, passed away at her home Tuesday, July 25, 2017. Mary Eva Alexander Hart Long was born December 2, 1920, in the home of her maternal grandparents, Mary Kelley Allen and Alfred Waggoner Allen. She moved with her parents, Maude Allen Alexander and Harley Patrick Alexander to Gruver, Texas to farm and ranch. Mary's early childhood years were full of picnics, driving her father's model T, riding horses, and skiing. Mary graduated from Gruver High School in 1937, and from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, in 1941. Mary married her childhood sweetheart, Walter Hart of Gruver, on March 7, 1942. In 1945, Walter Hart was killed in action in the Pacific Theatre, World War II. As a young War widow, Mary purchased the Frisco River ranch, south of Guymon, Oklahoma, with another young widow, Margaret Cochran, and began ranching in 1944. David Long, a World War II veteran and insurance salesman, met Mary when he arrived to the ranch for an insurance appraisal. David and Mary were married during a blizzard on March 1, 1948 in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Methodist church parsonage. They shared 63 years of life, love and laughter. Along the way, they raised four children, Pat, Lisa, Stephen and Homer. Mary was a devoted and active member of Victory Memorial United Methodist Church. She enjoyed her family and friends and was always supportive of their many activities. Mary belonged to P.E.O., Chapter FQ, Macombo Dance Club, and Laff-a-Lot bridge club. She and David traveled widely and often enjoyed their mountain home near Nathrop, Colorado. In 2000, Mary was honored as the Texas County Pioneer Queen. She was preceded in death by her husband, C. David Long; son, Homer Phillip Long; brothers, George Alexander and David Alexander; sister, Frances Murrell and daughter-in-law, Debbie Long. Survivors include her three children, Pat Long and wife Shawn, Lisa Gordon, Steve Long and wife Karri; seven grandchildren, David and Jennifer Long, Sally and J.D. Conway, Patrick Long, Adam Gordon, Alissa and Henry Heinerscheid, Jake Long, Lindsey and K.W. Cryer. Mary's great grandchildren were one of her greatest joys. They are Davis Long, Brooke and Colin Heinerscheid, Campbell, Henley and Hayes Cryer. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Buddy Murrell of Gruver and many nieces and nephews. The Long family would like to extend a special gratitude to Mary's caregivers, Madeline Worley, Carolyn Shields, Debbie Hart, Gerri Smith and Summer Martinez. Funeral services will be Friday morning, July 28, 2017, 10:00 A.M., at Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, 523 North Roosevelt, Guymon, with Rev. Gary Holdeman, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Elmhurst Cemetery, Guymon. Friends may call at Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, 501 NW Fifth Street, Guymon, for viewing Thursday, from noon to 8:00 PM. Memorials may be given in Mary's memory to Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.