Mary Cole (Farrow) Long

After a long, full, and happy life, Mary Cole Farrow Long died on January 20, 2018, at age 95. Born in Dallas, Texas, on October 1, 1922, to Ernest Eugene and Sadie Flynn Boone Farrow, Mary is pre-deceased by her husband of sixty-six years, Dr. William Bowman Long.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, as well as two additional generations of offspring:  Dr. William Farrow Long and wife Kathryn Fagan Long; Daryl Elizabeth Long Edwards and husband Thomas David Edwards; Dr. Robert John Long and wife Penny Sue Gullo Long; Dr. Linda Sue Long Fletcher and husband Michael Steven Fletcher, 12 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her Brother, Edwin Moore Farrow of Dallas and sisters-in-law, Genie Watkins Farrow and Doris Mann Farrow.

After receiving her MA from Baylor in 1965, Mary began an 18 career teaching English at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. During her tenure there, Mary taught Freshman  and Sophomore English, Creative Writing, and sponsored the literary magazine, The Baylorian. She retired in 1983.

During her years in Belton, Texas, Mary organized and served as President of the Central Texas Poetry Society as well as the City Council of PTA s (and various school PTAs). In addition, Mary was active at First Baptist Church Belton, teaching Sunday School and serving as President of the Woman’s Missionary Union.

After retiring from at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Mary put into practice what she had been teaching and wrote four books of genealogy on the Cole, Boone, Farrow, and Long families.  In 1997, she and her husband, Will Long were co-authors of a history of the Nose Brotherhood at Baylor University from its founding in 1926 to 1965.

Honors Mary has received include being named by the Central Texas Chapter of the Baylor Alumni Association as its first Distinguished Baylor Woman in 1994.  Mary and Will received the Baylor University Founders Medal in 2004 and the Herbert H. Reynolds Meritorious Service Award in 2005.  They also received the  University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Distinguished Service Award in 1995.

Mary is also listed in various Who’s Who Biographies, including Outstanding Educators of America,  Who’s Who in American Education, Outstanding Educators of America, Who’s Who in American Education.

A Celebration of Mary Long’s life will be held at First Baptist Church, Belton, TX on January 27, 2018 at 11 am.  Interment will follow at 3pm at Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, TX.

The family will greet friends before the Celebration in the Foyer at First Baptist Church. Dossman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, if Memorials are desired, the family suggests a donation to the Will and Mary Long Presidential Endowed Scholarship at Baylor University (Office of University Development, One Bear Place # 97050, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798 – 7050) or the Long-Fagan Presidential Endowed Scholarship at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UHMB, Box 8433, Belton, TX 76513).

Acknowledgements

The immediate family wishes to acknowledge the “extended family” who were part of Mary’s life for years and came to love her as much as we do:Hattie Mae Gant, Leticia Raphael, Pati Sanchez, Kelly Menapace, Mertie Williams, Judy Barber,

Forentino Rosa and family, Lindsay Cockrell, Hazel Adams, Sharon Leiker