Mary Long

Mary Frances Chapman Long, 67, of Poplarville, MS passed away March 4, 2007 due to stomach cancer. She is survived by three children, Mary Kristen Twedt of Hattiesburg; John Andrew Long of Long Beach and David Chapman Long of Alabaster, AL; two sisters, Patricia Branch of Clarksdale, MS and Susan Chapman of Senatobia and one brother John D. Chapman of St. Martin. She is also survived by seven grandchildren with an eighth due to arrive in May. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Poplarville.
Mrs. Long was born to Frances and Willie B. Chapman in 1939 and grew up in the Mississippi Delta. She left her hometown of Sledge to attend Northwest Junior College in Senatobia where she met and married Quincy Long in 1961, a union that lasted over 45 years until his death in January. Of remarkable courage and admirable spirit, she was cherished by family and friends as an extraordinary woman of unwavering faith.
Her firstborn child, Lisa Suzanne, died shortly after birth in 1962. In August of 1964, Mrs. Long delivered a second daughter, Mary Kristen, a child who not only survived but thrived under the auspices of a mother who fully appreciated GodaÌ‚â‚â„¢s gift of a healthy baby and the essential fulfillment of unconditional love. Six years later, she discovered late in her third pregnancy that she would deliver twin boys. John Andrew and David Chapman doubled her commitment to maintaining a nurturing home full of warmth and security.
For nearly 40 years, Mrs. Long used her numerous creative talents to forge a comfortable living for her family in Long Beach. Fully capable and educated to achieve a career of her choosing, she worked from home as a seamstress, chef, courier, landscaper, accountant and educator. She stretched dollars and invested wisely in matters of the heart. Her generation would say she was a housewife. Those who knew her well would say she was a miracle worker.
Mrs. LongaÌ‚â‚â„¢s love for interior design and Southern Living Magazine produced an endless stream of beautiful hand-sewn draperies, refinished furniture and home decor. She and her Singer sewing machine could make anything. She was no stranger to sandpaper, paintbrush, hammer and nails or WD-40. But it was her masterful ways in the kitchen that drew high praise and lasting admiration from anyone who sat at her table. She fried chicken worthy of a patent, baked biscuits that would aÌ‚â‚Å“make a bulldog hug a hound,â₝ and created desserts described as aÌ‚â‚Å“sinfully delicious.â₝ Certainly, the numerous family pets enjoyed the best leftovers in the world. She and her cast iron skillets are legendary.
A dedicated and truly selfless woman, Mrs. Long inspired all who knew her through amazing strength and character that endured even in the face of devastating disease and the loss of her beloved husband. Her love of family and friends and her steadfast dedication to a life of purpose and service will resound forever in the hearts of those who enjoyed the blessing of loving Mary Long. She will be deeply missed and honored by them always.
A Service of Remembrance will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at 6:00pm at First United Methodist Church in Long Beach. A reception will follow in the church's life center. A private burial will be held at Long Beach City Cemetery at a later date.
The family requests floral arrangements for the service, but memorial contributions may also be made to the Quincy Long Science Scholarship Fund, MGCCC Foundation, P.O. Box 99, Perkinston, MS 39573.
The Riemann family's GULF COAST FUNERAL HOME, Three Rivers Road Chapel in Gulfport is in charge of arrangements and an online guestbook may be signed at