Nina Lu Long

Nina Lu Long passed away Friday, May 15, 2020, at home with a loving daughter & caregiver, Stacy Clark, at her bedside. She was born on March 3, 1932, to Jack & Nettie (Burk) Rider in Beggs, Oklahoma. She attended Sapulpa High where she met her future husband, Billy Gene Long. In 1950, her senior year, she was crowned yearbook queen but, in our hearts, she will always be our "Queen Mother". Nina and Billy married on November 24, 1951, in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was a young airman and she, a beautiful, supportive military wife. She always made a house into a home with a seamless transition between moves to Texas, Montana, Alaska, South Carolina, Oklahoma & Kansas, finally, retiring in Mississippi. Nina taught at Ding Dong Daycare & worked at Goodyear Tire Company in Ocean Springs. She was an avid reader and enjoyed working the New York Times crossword puzzles. She was always able to find a reasonable diagnosis & remedy for us within the pages of her trusty Reader's Digest medical books. She also loved researching our Indian heritage and was delighted to discover that she is a direct descendant of Nancy Ward, Beloved Woman of the Cherokee. Nina was preceded in death by her husband who passed away in December 2016; son-in-law, Ron Puett; and sister, Vivian Montgomery. Nina leaves behind her sister, Sammye Wood; five children, Linda Wright (Craig), Jeanna Puett, Billy Long, Jr. (Marianne), Michael Long (Gail) and Stacy Clark (Carl); 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; & one great-great-grandchild. Special thanks to Guy Gamblin for all the love and support he provided in Nina’s care. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Biloxi National Cemetery where she will be placed beside her husband. In lieu of flowers, please consider participating in your local "Walk to End Alzheimer's" to help us raise funds for Alzheimer's care, support & research. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs, is honored to serve this family.