Phyllis Joy Long (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Phyllis Joy Long, daughter of William and Myrtle Starnes, was born October 17, 1943, in Lebanon, Missouri. She departed this life Thursday, December 8, 2022, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 79.
On February 24, 1962, at the age of 18, she was united in marriage to Richard Anthony Long, and to this union a daughter was born.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Phyllis is survived by Richard, her husband of 60 years of the home in Lebanon, Missouri; a daughter, Kathy Metzer, and her husband, Steven, of Duncan, Oklahoma; a granddaughter, Jessica Peercy, and her husband, Mickey, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a grandson, Matthew Metzer, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a great-granddaughter, Emilia Peercy, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in the Sunnyview community southeast of Lebanon and attended Bee Branch Elementary and Lebanon R-III Schools. After she and Richard were married, she worked in retail at a local Hallmark store and later at an antique shop, and was employed for more than 10 years by the H.D. Lee factory as a seamstress and quality inspector. For two years, she and Richard managed the Dream Village Motel, a Route 66 landmark constructed in 1934 between Jefferson and Madison avenues.
She was devoted to her family and took wonderful care of her mother throughout her battle with Alzheimer’s. She opened her home and her heart to many a cat in need of food and shelter. She enjoyed cooking, reading, and cross-stitch, and took pride in giving new life to primitive materials in decorating her home. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchild and made many road trips with Richard to spend time with them.
Phyllis was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and was a caring friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created with them during her lifetime.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pound Pullers of Lebanon, Missouri, in memory of Phyllis.
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