Willa Jean Long

Willa Jean Long, age 87, of Bolivar, Missouri passed away on at 7:50am, Sunday, June 1, 2008 at her home after a time of declining health. She was born on September 1, 1920 to Franklin Newton Gann and Nellie Wilkerson Gann. She was saved at an early age of 12 and was baptized at Greasy Creek east of Buffalo, Missouri. She had been a member at the Baptist churches in Buffalo and Willow Springs prior to becoming a member of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar in 1941. At the church in Bolivar she taught Children's Sunday School, Children's Choirs and was most recently a member of Mary Martha Sunday School Class. She was active in the Woman's Missionary Groups and the First Baptist Church Quilters. She was united in marriage on March 28, 1936 to Paul Vernon Long. Paul preceded her in death on May 9, 1993. She was always a loving wife and companion to Paul and a marvelous homemaker and mother to their four children. She supported her family in music education, church education and family traditions. She became an active participant in the family business with Paul and her sons at Bolivar Hardware for more than 30 years until their retirement in 1983. She loved the art of sewing and made clothes for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid quilter and made many quilts for her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; F.N. and Nellie Gann, four brothers; Oren, Fred, Francis and Cecil, two sisters; Opal Maddux and Juanita Cox. Willa Jean in survived by her two daughters; Paula Jean Webb and her husband Jerry of Springfield, Missouri, Linda Sue Gothard and her husband Bobbie of Bolivar, Missouri, two sons; Charles N. Long and his wife Kay of Bolivar, Missouri and Tim Long of Bolivar, Missouri, 11 grandchildren; Pamela Webb, Rhonda Lewandowski, Richard Webb, Jay Webb, Sharon Muir, Paul W. Long, Tracy Welch, Barbara Lee, Paul Gothard, Alexis Besancenez and Caitlin Long, 20 great grandchildren; Andrew Webb, Mariah Webb, Elijah Webb, Autumn Webb, Daniel Lewandowski, Sarah Lewandowski, Rebecca Lewandowski, Phillip Lewandowski, Ethan Muir, Blake Long, Nicholas Long, Kennadie Long, Charlene Welch, Derek Welch, Sloan Welch, Devin Welch, Kellynn Welch, Lakyn Lee, Shayd Gothard and Kyndall Besancenez. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Friday, June 6, 2008 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri with Dr. Harlan Spurgeon and Reverend Billy Russell officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar. Pallbearers will be Rick Webb, Jason Besancenez, Jay Webb, Kelly Welch, Mark Lewandowski, Paul W. Long, Paul Gothard and Rob Muir. Visitation will be from 6-8pm, on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Willa Jean to the First Baptist Church, 316 N. Main Avenue, Bolivar, Missouri 65613. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences to www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Willa Jean Long

September 1, 1920 - June 1, 2008