Grace Lucille Whitson Long

Grace Lucille Whitson Long, daughter of the late Joseph W. Whitson and Laura Edna Barry Whitson, was born on July 26, 1913, in Hickman, Ky., and died at Winchester Place in Bernie, Mo., on Oct. 25, 2012, at the age of 99.

Mrs. Long was a member of the Bernie Church of Christ. She taught in several school districts, ending her career of nearly 45 years in the New Madrid County School District. She belonged to the Retired Teachers Association and was a volunteer for the Dexter Hospital Auxiliary, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Red Cross.

She often spoke of the people who helped her make decisions at turning points in her life -- the ones who encouraged her to go to high school and then on to college. Only heaven knows how many times she was able to pass that encouragement on to a new generation.

She is survived by three daughters, Linda Vincent of Phoenix, Ariz., Brenda Campbell and her husband Larry of Phoenix, Ariz., Robbie Burnett and her husband John of Campbell, Mo; her son-in-law, Tony Lape; 11 grandchildren, Courtney Vincent, Susannah Gobler, Caroline Culpepper, Chad Campbell, Todd Campbell, Hallie Campbell, Whitney Brothers, Meredith Peirick, Ian Lape, Martha Hutchens and John Burnett; and by 17 great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Danna Lape; six brothers, John Barry Whitson, William Daniel Whitson, Edward Carmack Whitson, Joseph Allen Whitson, Earl Jackson Whitson and Jesse Floyd Whitson; and by one sister, Minnie Myrtle Whitson.

Visitation will be held at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Mo., from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Stan Dauck on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Mounds Memorial Park in New Madrid, Mo.