Mary Elnora 'Ellie' (Barrett) Long

Ellie Long went to sleep on March 14, 2023 and woke in the presence of the Lord Jesus, family and friends. Heaven is rejoicing and her children are thankful she is walking the golden streets in her new and perfect body.

Mary Elnora “Ellie” Long was born in Akins community, Oklahoma on November 17, 1942. She was the only child of John Ernest Barrett and Ida Francis (Melton) Barrett, but she had the blessing of her sisters and brothers from Ida’s previous marriage. Her redheaded Irish Daddy, Red John, was her hero and biggest fan.

She married Bobby Sherrell Long on January 30, 1959. She and Bob remained married until his death on January 5, 1995. They had two children, Rhonda Gale and Bobby Glen.

Being the youngest of six children, she was known to break and make her own rules. She loved cooking, reading, listening to country music and dancing. Her favorite things were going to Bobby’s for a fish fry, getting together with friends and family, telling stories about her ancestors, riding to Brushy Lake to have lunch, reminiscing about growing up in Akins and attending Central High School. Some of her best memories were made spending time with her first granddaughter, Addison Paige Long, her “Little Angel” and her first grandson, Kenny Ryan Knight, her “Honey Bear” and then his daughter, Zurri, her “Little Huckleberry”.

Her career was spent teaching children at Sallisaw and Marble City Schools and oh, the stories she could tell. She spent the last few years in Sequoyah Manor where she enjoyed seeing old friends she had grown up and worked with over the years. Some parents and some of the children she taught worked there and that gave her comfort. She loved her physician, Dr. Cheek, and the many others that spent their days caring for her, preparing the special cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, visiting and praying for her. Stories told by the staff included Ellie firing them multiple times, but always hiring them back before the end of their shift. She had many favorites.

Ellie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ida; husband, Bob; sisters, Ada Mae and Wanda; and brothers, Tom, J.D. and Charles.

She is survived by her daughter, Rhonda Gale and husband, Enie; son, Bobby Glen and wife, Rosa; grandchildren, Kenny Knight, Addison Long, Kaili Worthington, Dakota Scott, Tricia Stubbs and Marcinda Myers; several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

At Ellie’s request, a private service was held on March 16, 2023 at Akins Cemetery where her body was placed to rest beside her husband, Bob. A celebration of life service will be planned at a later date for family and friends.