Leoti—Gloria Long, 92, mother of 7, grandmother of 20, and great grandmother of 31, won her battle with dementia when she passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Gloria was born on April 8, 1931, to Dan and Mollie Sader, in north Wichita County. She grew up in the Wichita County community and lived her entire life in Leoti. If asked, she would say she never wanted to live anywhere else.
Gloria met Jim Long while working at the dress shop in Leoti, and they married on September 16, 1950. They would go on to be married 61 years and were blessed with 7 children.
Jim had a trucking business and, after raising the children, Gloria opened the local fabric store, The Sewing Box, with her longtime friend, Marge Elder.
Af t e r a l l the chi ldren graduated from WCHS, and the fabric store closed, Gloria filled her time quilting and playing bridge, as well as volunteering at the community thrift store and working in the kitchen at the WC Long Term Care Center.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church and the local quilt guild. She loved having her children and grandchildren visit, and they loved it when she would make her famous fried chicken, fritters, and bierocks. She made life fun and wonderful for all of them.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jim; brothers, Charles Sader and Roger Gee; son-inlaw, Larry Appel; and daughter-in-law, Sandy Long.
She is survived by children, Steve (Patricia), Garden City; Bonnie Appel, Tennessee; Mary (Neal) Mazer, Albuquerque; J i m ( Jeanne) L ong, Houston; Todd (Diana) Long, Leoti; Lori (Eric) Batman, Tennessee; and Roger Long, Colorado. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and brother-in-law, Hugh (Judy) Long, Newton.
Memorial services will be Friday, April 21, 2023, at 10:30AM at the TRINITY Fellowship Church, pastor Tod Anthony officiating. There will be a luncheon at the church following graveside services at the Leoti cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be written to the Wichita County Long Term Care Center.
There will be no visiting hours.
