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MARY SUE EDEN LONG

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Mary Sue Eden Long, 96, of Mountain Grove, formerly of Lebanon, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.

She was born March 30, 1926, in Hartville, Mo. to Elisha and Mabel (Beeney) Dickinson.

On Dec. 25, 1946, she married Willie “Bill’’ Eden, and one daughter and one son were born to this union. After their marriage, Bill and Mary Sue made their home on a small dairy farm north of Hartville. In 1960, Bill answered the call into the ministry. They sold their farm and then proceeded to spend 42 wonderful years pastoring a total of ten different Free Will Baptist churches. Bill preceded her in death and on Feb. 14, 2005.

She later married Kenneth Long who preceded her in death.

Mary Sue was also preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, Beulah Teague, Geneva Dickinson, Lora Taylor, Clyde Dickinson, Carroll Dickinson, Violet Gregory, Howard Dickinson, Doris Craig, Jessie Bell, Clifton Dickinson, Vevia Godwin, and Clifford Dickinson; one son-in-law, Howard Anderson and her husband of later years, Kenneth Long.

Mary Sue was devoted to many denominational works within the Free Will Baptists. Many remember her working and serving food at the Niangua Youth Camp. She was always active even up until the time of her passing. Her heart, ears, and table were always open to anyone in need. She took great joy in feeding people who would drop by for a visit.

She was saved and later baptized at a revival at the Little Creek Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 17. Mary Sue will be remembered most for her love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Survivors include a daughter, Diana Fern Anderson of Norwood; one son, Ivan Leon Eden of Mountain Grove; four grandchildren, Scott Anderson and wife Tonya, Sandra Wright and husband Michael, Angela Ledbetter and husband Jason, and Matthew Eden and wife Cassidy; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Sue Eden of Seymour and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services for Mary Sue Eden Long were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, at Hartville Free Will Baptist Church with Brother Justin Lawson and Brother Devin Wright officiating. Burial was in Little Creek Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home in Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com