Mrs. Mary Virginia Long

Mary Graves Long, age 94, widow of William (Bill), died April 10, 2023. She was born May 24, 1928 to Jesse and Mary Ada (Miley) Graves of D'Lo, MS. Mary grew up on a farm where she developed a love of nature she never forgot. Later Mary's family moved to Jackson where she graduated from Central High School. She was employed in the business office of The Clarion Ledger newspaper until her marriage to Lt. William Long. While living in New York City she worked as comptometer operator for Martins Department Store. Then William was transferred to Frankfurt, Germany. They returned two years later to live in Waco and Austin, Texas. In Austin she worked as Financial Secretary for First Baptist Church until William accepted a two year teaching contract in Ankara, Turkey. On returning they lived in Fresno, CA, Austin, TX, and Durant, OK and finally moved to Lincoln in 1965. Mary worked for twenty years as the Business Administrator for First Presbyterian Church. After retiring in 1991, she received a Nurse Aide Certificate and worked in Home Health and Food Service for Clark Jeary and Bev's Catering. Mary's last six years of employment were spent with Home Instead Senior Care until her second retirement on her 80th birthday. Her life was dedicated to helping others. Mary had a heart full of love for her three grandchildren: Joel Holmgren, Annalisa (Holmgren) Stevens, and Rowan Long. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and sewing. Mary spent her last active years volunteering in various capacities. She was a member of Southview Baptist Church. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, parents, brothers, and sisters. She is survived by 2 daughters: Phyllis Long of Memphis, TN, Nancy Holmgren (Perry) of Lincoln, son Oscar Long (Alene Harris) of Kansas City, MO, 3 grandchildren: Joel Holmgren, Annalisa Stevens (Ricky) of Lincoln and Rowan Long of Kansas City, MO, along with several nieces.