Mary Ellen Long

Mary Ellen (Hughes) Long, 69, of Morristown, TN, passed away on August 14th, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.  Mary was the third of five daughters born to William Edward and Dortha Mae Key Hughes in 1954.  Mary grew up on a dairy farm in the Clearwater community before attending Cleveland State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University.  Soon after she moved to Morristown, TN to teach for Hamblen County Schools. It was in Morristown that she met her husband, William E. “Buzz” Long.  Mary subsequently worked at TVA before taking time to raise her children at home, later returning to work at Alpha Intermediate until her retirement in 2021.

Mary was a dignified, tolerant, and undeniably selfless woman who loved her family beyond measure.  She derived her greatest joy from caring for people and always put others first, loved ones and strangers alike.  Mary thoroughly enjoyed gatherings at the farm where she grew up, tending her plants, and hunting for antiques. Her favorite way to end each evening was with a bowl of ice cream.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Buzz Long; her parents, Edward and Dortha Hughes; her elder sisters, Joan Hughes Grabeel and Judi Hughes Watson, and her sister-in-law, Lynn Anne Long.  

She is survived by her three children: son Casey Long, daughter-in-law Emily Long, and grandsons John, Granville, and Vanden Long of Knoxville, TN; son Russell Long, daughter-in-law Blair Long, and soon-to-be granddaughter Mary Carter Long of Knoxville, TN; and daughter Katie Walker, son-in-law Dr. Bryan Walker, and granddaughter Mae Ellen Walker of Knoxville, TN.  She is survived by her sisters Ann (Russ) Parise and Janice Crabtree, both of Athens, TN.  Surviving in-laws include Frank Grabeel of Athens and  Don Watson of Sweetwater, TN; Susan and Darrell Dillard of Louisville, TN; Carol Long of Knoxville, TN, and Patty and Roger Bush of Knoxville, TN.  Beloved nieces and nephews include Beth Womac Hatfield, Nathan Womac (Dana Bramble), Jodi (Chad) Rose, Lori (Jason) Baumgardner, James Haren, John (Andrea) Haren, Father Andrew Crabtree, Betsy Crabtree, Kelly (Lee) Seaton, Lacey (Ken) Puckett, Michael (Sara) Bush, and Chris Bush (Laura Holland).

Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Friday, August 18, 2023 at Clearwater Cemetery with Father Andrew Crabtree officiating. Donations in lieu of flowers Gateway for Cancer Research c/o donate.gatewaycr.org. Or the local charity of your choosing in Mary’s honor.Those unable to attend may send condolences to https://www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/mary-long
Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens is in charge of the arrangements.