Mary Ethel Long

Mary Ethel Long, 78, of Missouri City Texas, passed away on Friday, May 21,2021. Mary was born in El Campo, Texas on February 6,1943 to John Lee Long and Mary Louise Carvell Long.

Although she never had any children, Mary Ethel was without doubt a mother. She was a mother alongside her sister, helping raise her three children, and she was a mother in the way she cared for others and made them feel safe and comforted. Those who felt outcasted or alone could always find themselves being cared for by Mary. She was gifted with an incredible intelligence, that she worked hard to utilize. After graduating at the top of her high school class a year early, she went to nursing school to peruse her calling as a nurse. After completing her education, she started working at Saint Elizabeth's hospital as a charge nurse, and quickly proved herself invaluable as she climbed the ranks and developed into an incredible nurse. Mary Ethel's impact on the nursing community here in the Beaumont area was nothing short of profound, and many nurses here will remember the day that Mary pinned them as she pinned so many nurses over the years. Mary was ambitious, tenacious, and compassionate, all of these qualities are part of the reason she was such a capable and caring nurse, she never stopped helping a person until the moment they took their last breath, and would always stay with them until the end. Mary spent 58 years as a nurse, even after retiring three times she could never truly leave, because she never lost her desire to help others every way she could. Mary was still relentlessly adventurous and traveled all over the world. She was capable of seeing the beauty in all the little things and always made a point to have a picnic by the water wherever she went. Mary was a woman of great wisdom, she always knew what you should be doing and wondered why you weren’t doing it, and if she ever raised her eyebrow at you, you had better identify the problem and fix it… quickly. Despite her ability to be tough when needed, Mary always saw the best in others and loved people where they were at. Mary long was infinitely caring, incredibly hardworking, immaculately full of love. She touched the lives of more people than she ever knew, and she will live on in their hearts for years to come.

Left to cherish her memory is her younger sister Jennie Sanders; nieces Jennifer Freeman and partner Ron Wilson, Debra Rodriguez and husband Javier; nephews John Sanders and wife Tiffany, C.V. Belauger and wife Kay; great nieces and nephews Kip and wife Bree, Kaci and husband David, Jacob and wife Laura, Bailey and significant other Miguel, Heather, Robert and significant other Allie, Dustin and significant other Amy, and Hayden, Hudson and Jackson.

 Preceding Mary in death are her parents John Lee Long and Mary Louise Carvell Long.

A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Lumberton Church of Christ in Lumberton, TX. Funeral services honoring the life of Mary will begin at 12:30 PM on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Lumberton Church of Christ. Mary will be laid to rest immediately following the funeral services at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont, TX.

To honor Mary Ethel's life defining career as a nurse in the Beaumont area, an honor guard of nurses who had the privilege of working with Mary over the years will watch over Mary during her services much the same way that Mary tirelessly stood watch over her patients.

In consideration of the health and safety of the family and friends, all social distancing practices and facial covering recommendations will be strictly observed for all services. Masks will be required for all who attend services. Thank you for your understanding.

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