Photo © by Kay Marshall

Obit for Mary posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Esta (Williams) Long, age 90, of Norman, will be held at 2:00 Friday, November 18, 2011 in The Chapel of the Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook Street in Norman with Reverend Cal Brannon officiating. 

The family will greet friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at the Havenbrook Funeral Home.

Mary was born March 20, 1921 in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of Holbert Thomas and Aubrey (Strickland) Williams.  She passed away Saturday, November 12, 2011 in Norman.
Mary attended public school in Covington, and Oklahoma City before moving to Norman to begin the 8th grade in 1935.  She graduated from Norman High School in 1939, later she enrolled and attended the University of Oklahoma.  After college, Mary worked for the Douglas Aircraft Plant at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City as a time keeper. 
Mary first noticed a handsome young usher, Mr. Leslie Henry Long, at McFarlin Memorial Methodist Church when he asked her out.  They were united in marriage in July,1944.  Les and Mary remained in Norman following his service as a 1st. Lt. in the U.S. Army, where Les pursued a degree from the University of Oklahoma in Mechanical Engineering.  He completed his education in 1946 and Les and Mary moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma where Les began a career in the Engineering Department of Continental Oil Company.  While living in Ponca City, Mary and Les welcomed their first child, Kathryn Marles.
Les was promoted to Regional Engineer for Conoco in 1951 and the family moved to Chicago, Illinois.  Their son, Leslie Thomas Long, was born while they resided in Chicago.  Mary was a dedicated wife and mother and stayed home to care for the family.
In 1955, the family returned to Norman, where Les and Mary became partners with Mary's father, Holbert T. Williams, in the Conoco Distributorship.  In 1968, Les became the Engineering Officer for the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal, a position he held until retiring in 1985. 
Mary spent a lifetime cherishing her relationship with her sister, Jeanne, and her double first cousins, Holland Williams, Gerrie Claunch, Don Williams, and Joe Williams.  Mary and Jeanne’s parents,  were identical twins whose twin brother and sister were also married to each other.  Due to their close family ties, they considered their double first cousins to be almost like brothers and sisters.    
Mary was a bright and active person with myriad interests.  Her passion for travel led her to tour the world, traveling with Les and family members.  Her adventures took her to all 50 states, Europe, Indonesia, Greece, Bahamas, Mexican Caribbean, Tahiti, Australia, and New Zealand.  Because of her kind heart and her love for animals she always enjoyed the company of her pets.  She was proud of the obedience training she did and the ribbons she won with her dogs.  She loved art and collected original paintings that she proudly displayed in her home.  Friends and family were always welcome and Mary truly enjoyed the fun of gatherings for OU sports, family and friends events or just playing in their swimming pool.  She loved her times with her grandchildren and will always be remembered for her flair for shopping.
Through the years she remained an active member of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church.  In Norman, she and Les delivered Meals on Wheels, and she was an R.S.V.P. volunteer while living at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City.  She was a member of Eastern Star, Shrine Widows and Daughters of the American Revolution.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leslie H. Long on April 15, 1993; one double first cousin, Gerrie Claunch; and her sister's husband, Jack Mead.

Survivors include her Sister, Jeanne (Williams) Mead of Englewood, Florida, her son, Les T. Long and his wife, Rhonda of Lubbock, Texas; one daughter, Marles Bradley and her husband, Tony of Norman; three grandchildren, Jonathan David Stapleton of Norman, Morgan Aubrey Stapleton of Norman; and Lauren Alesha Long of Austin, Texas; her double first cousins; Holland Williams and his wife, Ann; Don Williams and his wife, Delores; and Joe Williams and his wife, Betty; and her husband's brother, Russell Long and his wife, Nell of Norman; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. 
 
Burial will conclude in the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Norman.  Arrangements for Mary and her family were placed in the care of the Vice family at Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Mary Esta (Williams) Long to  Blue H.A.W.K Pet Rescue of Norman www.blue-hawk.org.  

Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com