Anna Lou Long

Anna Lou Long, of Noblesville, passed away peacefully at home in her favorite chair on Thursday, September 23, 2021, following a multi-year battle with COPD and Congestive Heart Failure, which she fought without complaint using her unique brand of courage, grace, and humility.

Join the Party
During her last hospital stay, Anna said she wanted a party to celebrate, whether or not she could attend, so please join us for a Celebration of Life party and visitation on Sunday, October 3, 2021, from 11am-1pm at Flanner Buchanan-Washington Park North, followed by a music- and story-telling session, guided by Barb Milton, where the family invites you to share your memories of Anna. Please come dressed as you are, with bright colors, floral or Hawaiian patterns, and casual attire encouraged.

Arrangements are by Flanner Buchanan-Washington Park North, 2706 Kessler Blvd. W. Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46228. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the family requests that you honor Anna’s wishes to wear masks indoors to help keep each other healthy and safe.

About Anna
Anna, a loving mother, foster parent, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Nile Stanton Long and Mary Jane Thomerson on January 26, 1957.

Anna grew up on the west side of Indianapolis, where she married her high school sweetheart at a very young age and had two sons. She was primarily a homemaker for her husband and children, but over the years filled the roles of military wife, pastor’s wife, and eventually, divorced single mother of two.

It was extremely important to Anna to teach her sons to work hard and strive to be better. She demonstrated the value of hard work throughout her career, working long hours as a waitress, shirt-presser at a dry cleaner, and day care center manager. She also worked on the side to create custom costumes for family, friends, and local theater companies. She was incredibly proud that she raised an accomplished doctor and a successful entrepreneur.

Anna also believed in the importance of creativity to balance the hard work. In her younger years, she expressed herself through drawing, painting, and sculpting. Later, she encouraged her kids to follow their various passions from martial arts to horse racing to singing, dancing, performing, and playing instruments.

Throughout her life, Anna loved animals, music, movies, the theater, and playing Scrabble. As the kids grew, Anna began exploring bowling as a hobby, eventually maintaining a 204 average and leading the ladies’ auxiliary bowling league. Later, with her second husband, she discovered a great love for scuba diving, so she earned her dive certification and spent many summers visiting the Florida Keys to explore the reefs.

Eventually, Anna was able to retire to Noblesville, Indiana, where she enjoyed reading and collecting stamps and coins, as well as showcasing her incredible green thumb. She found terrific joy in tending to her potted plants and flower gardens, and even cross-breeding plants to create her own varieties.

Anna showered kindness and love on many people. A quick trip to the store would stretch on, as all the staff at the nearby grocery and general merchandise stores knew her and always wanted to chat. But more than anything, she loved just being with family, using her razor-sharp wit and quirky sense of humor to showcase her boundless love.

Anna’s Family
Anna is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Derek Wayne Oldham; and her brother, Jim Thomerson.

Anna is survived by ex-husband Gerd Snook; her eldest son, Dr. Derek A. Oldham, and his wife, India Oldham; her youngest son, Dean Anthony, and his wife, Audrey Lorraine; her foster son, John Chandler; her brother, Ronnie Long, and his wife Darlene Long; her niece, Rosie Soots, and her fiancé, Tyler Mayer; and her cousins Ricky Finley; Theresa (Finley) and Chuck Manning; and Kitty McClure.

Honoring Anna
Anna also had several feline family members over the years, so memorials may be given to the Indy Humane Society in her honor (link: Honor – Memorial Donation Form – IndyHumane: https://secure.indyhumane.org/site/Donation2?1903.donation=form1&df_id=1903&_ga=2.18449913.1507957975.1632791448-4034442.1632791447).

You can also honor Anna by reaching out to those around you and loving unconditionally. She was truly a one-of-a-kind spirit that we would do well to emulate.