Mary Denice (Templeton) Long

Mary Denice (Templeton) Long 9/19/1935 – 5/10/2020

On Sunday, May 10, 2020, Mary Denice (Templeton) Long, entered Heaven’s worship service at 8:07 am ET, at the age of 84.

Mary was born on September 19, 1935 in Linton, Indiana, to Edith Marie (Denman) and Fred Templeton, at Freeman-Green County General Hospital.

She was the sister of Eunice Marie (Templeton) Bennet, Doyle Templeton, Harry Francis Templeton; who all preceded her in death, as well as Ralph Bennet Templeton.

Mary was raised in Linton and stayed there until she met the love of her life, Olan Long (4/13/1930 – 1/22/1997), of Gilbertown, Alabama. Olan was introduced to Mary by her brother, Doyel, during a leave from service the two took together, while they were serving in the United States Navy.

On December 27, 1950, Mary and Olan would marry and would head to Indianapolis, IN where they would begin their lives together.

Mary and Olan would become parents for the first time on May 10, 1956, with their first of three children: Beverly Ann (Long) Flanagan; wife to Son-in-law, Vernon Flanagan, followed by David Olan Long (9/8/1959 – 4/12/2018), and Sherry Lynn (Long) Wittum (6/24/1961 – ); wife to Son-in-law, Charles Garfield Wittum Jr.

In 1967 Mary and Olan moved their family to 1717 West 136 St., Carmel, IN., where they raised a family and lived out the rest of their days.

The Long’s attended church as family and were dedicated servants at Lighthouse Tabernacle in Carmel, and Calvary Temple of Indianapolis.

Mary would also spend a career of 33 years teaching children at Tabernacle Christian Academy, where she was famously known for lessons with “Jerry the puppet.”

On December 5, 1983 she became “Mamaw” for the first time to an eventually nine grandchildren: David Olan Long Jr., Mary Denise (Wittum) Beard; wife to William “Nathan” Beard, Matthew Glen Flanagan; husband to Jenna (Papp) Flanagan, Charles Garfield Wittum III “Tres”, Justin Charles Flanagan, Justin Lowell Long, Meagan Christine Wittum (Thomas).

On March 5, 2007 Mary would become a great grandmother for the first time to an eventual eight great-grandchildren: Mason Jacob Beard, Reese Lynn Beard, Nora Janelle Flanagan, Rocco Matthew Flanagan, Ella Claire Thomas, Grey Anderson Thomas, Lucie Long, and Elliot Gayle Marie Long.

Mary was a praying woman. Up until her moment of death she testified to the faithfulness of God, and her trust in Jesus Christ as her Lord and coming Savior. Her kids, grandkids, and close friends never hesitated to call on her for prayer requests, as they knew she knew how to “get ahold of the Master.”

Mary had a joy and a sense of humor about her that kept her healthy until the end of her life. She had humorous nicknames that she made up on the fly for nearly everyone and everything she knew.

Mary was a giver. She loved to give “surprises.” She gave generously without expecting anything in return, or ever keeping score.

Mary was patient and kind. She did not envy, nor boast, nor was she too proud. She didn’t dishonor others. She wasn’t self-seeking, or easily angered. She kept no record of wrongs against her. She encouraged peace and rejoiced in truth. She was a protector who always trusted and was always full of hope.

Mary leaves behind an impressionable and lasting legacy to her kids and grandchildren. She was very loved and will be thought of often, and greatly missed by her family and friends that survived her. Psalms 31:31