April 25th, 1928 - March 9th, 2020
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Memorial services for Lois Jean (Renfro) Long, 91, of Garber, OK, will be 11:00, March 14, 2020, at the Garber United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jim Edmison and Rev. Randy Mitchell officiating. Jean passed from her earthly life on March 9, 2020. Visitation at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home in Enid will be Friday evening, March 13, 2020, from 6:00 until 7:00.
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Jean’s parents, Luther C. Renfro and Maud Ethel (Hall) Renfro lived in Shidler, Osage Co., OK. Her father worked for Sinclair Oil/Gas Company. At ages 48 and 37 respectively, they welcomed their “bundle from heaven” Lois Jean Renfro on April 25, 1928. During her school years in Shidler from kindergarten through junior high, and high school years in Garber, she was involved in “all things musical.” She also played on the ’45-’46 basketball team that went to the state tournament. In 1948, Jean received a Certificate of Completion in the 2-year School of Intensive Business majoring in Accounting, from then, Oklahoma A & M College.
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Lois Jean Renfro married her high school sweetheart, Raymond Hal Long, on May 28, 1948. During their early years of marriage while Hal was finishing his Animal Husbandry degree from Oklahoma A & M College, Jean worked at the Methodist Wesley Foundation and was involved in campus ministry and Wesley activities and choir. She also took piano and organ lessons. Hal and Jean began working for Long Implement, a John Deere implement business owned and operated by Hal’s father, Lloyd Long, soon after Hal’s graduation from college.
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In early 1951, Jean gave birth to their son, Kenneth Wayne Long - after a ride to St. Mary’s Hospital Annex during a blizzard. Jean continued to work in the Long John Deere businesses, mostly in the parts department, but she assisted Hal in setting up the businesses also purchased in Enid and Blackwell. Jean loved doing various crafts - embroidery and other needle arts from the age of 14, but her favorite was piecing quilts, quilting, and counted cross stitch. Her favorite hobby was genealogy. She was involved in the various departments of the Methodist Church Education Department, the women’s society, the worship committee, singing in the choir, or accompanying on the piano or organ. She was the church organist for 25 years with no substitute but continued as assistant when needed until her eyesight begin to fail. She also gave piano and organ lessons. At one point, her love of education of any kind, led her back to OSU to work towards an Elementary Education degree, with dreams of becoming a librarian of children’s literature. Instead of a degree, the Long’s were blessed with a 4 ½ year old adopted daughter, Kathy Kay Long, who was born in the fall of 1958 in Bartlesville, OK, and came to live with the Longs in late March, 1963. With Jean’s dad passing unexpectedly a few days later, Kathy became a bright spot in Jean’s life during her unexpected loss. During her children’s school years, Jean was involved when her children were involved, at school and at church. She volunteered as a homeroom mom, band mom, Parent Teacher Club, Sunday School teacher, and youth sponsor. Jean loved her life of service in many ways, primarily through her church, Garber United Methodist. She enjoyed volunteering at St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid and helping the Garber Lions Club in their fundraising projects. During Hal’s tenure as a Board Member and appointee to the Board of Lions Clubs International, Jean enjoyed traveling with him to many places around the world. She felt that each trip was educational and was a firm believer that we should learn something new every day - because the Lord gave us a mind to learn as much as possible during our lifetime. She also believed we should act on helping those less fortunate.
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Jean is survived by her husband, Hal; son, Ken and wife Jody; daughter, Kathy and husband Billy Disney; grandson, Aaron Long and wife Kelly, and their 4 children (great-grands), Michael, Daniel, Elsie, Theo; and grandson, Dylan Disney and wife Lynnette. Jean was preceded in death by an infant sister Lola Maxine on February 16, 1913; her mother Ethel on October 10, 1938 when Jean was age 10; and her father Luther on April 9, 1963.
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Memorials may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation designated for Fibromyalgia Research, with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home as custodian of the funds.
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Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
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Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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