June 26, 2024 May 7, 1924
Mrs. Marie Madalene Stanley Long, 100, of East Texas, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024. She was born May 7, 1924, in Jasper, Texas to Bertie Mae McBride Stanley and Ira A. “Doc” Stanley. She married Lewis Johnson Long of San Augustine on May 25, 1946. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, creativity, and generosity. Her talents were many: artist, seamstress, gardener, caregiver, cook, and biscuit and cornbread master. Her energy and sense of humor made everything more fun. She will be deeply missed.
Marie recently celebrated her centennial birthday with friends and family, marking a full life with incredible stories and unforgettable tales. As the eldest daughter of seven children (sadly she is preceeded in death by all of them), Marie learned the ropes of responsibility and care early on. She was the rock of the family, giving us unwavering support and love as well as an opinion or two.
Her faith was simple and strong, and she was a dedicated church member her entire life. Attending Sunday school as part of The Bible Class, she volunteered in the nursery and helped setup the pre-school. She especially enjoyed assisting with the baptisms and even made the white robes the new Christians wore for their immersions. She was even known to offer recommendations to the various pastors that served the First Baptist of Center over the last forty years. Marie was always in service to others in and outside the church.
She is survived by her daughter, Edna Long Nelson (sonin- law, Jimmy Wayne Nelson); her son, Lewis Kenneth Long; her precious granddaughters, Kendall Cobb, and Janet Gerhard; and four great grandchildren, Corbett Cobb and Vivian Cobb, and James and Caroline Gerhard.
There are many other surviving family members in East Texas (especially her nephews and nieces and their respective spouses) and extended family members across the east coast that she called family.
Throughout her 100 years, she was a loving daughter, sister, wife, caregiver, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. Her incredible life will be celebrated with a graveside service at Spann’s Chapel Cemetery on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Come join us to honor and remember the amazing person and spirit that was Marie.
Thank you to my beautiful selfless Mamma for graciously always making the cupcakes when I volunteered her knowing full well, she was working full time. But, in my defense, they were always better when she made them.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spann’s Chapel Cemetery Fund.