Home > United States of America > Iowa > Wayne County > Seymour > Southlawn Cemetery > Helen Lois Long Flower

Helen Lois Long Flower

Birth	:	9 Apr 1917 Wayne County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	21 Sep 2018 Greenville County, South Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Southlawn Cemetery, Seymour, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.6763992, -93.1207962
Description	:	Helen Long Flower's prayer to go home to be with Jesus was answered on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. She was 101 years old. In recent years she became confused about many things, but that wish was often on her lips and in her heart. She often asked her care-givers and visitors if they knew Jesus and would be going to heaven. Her family was thankful that she always knew us and knew she was loved and cared for. We had a family reunion to celebrate her hundredth birthday in 2017 and more than 50 family members came. As the party... Read More	Helen Long Flower's prayer to go home to be with Jesus was answered on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. She was 101 years old. In recent years she became confused about many things, but that wish was often on her lips and in her heart. She often asked her care-givers and visitors if they knew Jesus and would be going to heaven. Her family was thankful that she always knew us and knew she was loved and cared for. We had a family reunion to celebrate her hundredth birthday in 2017 and more than 50 family members came. As the party was coming to an end, Lorena asked Mom to pray for us all. She thanked the Lord for the family gathering and the good time we had together. Then she prayed that each one of us would follow Christ and live our lives in service for Him. The spiritual values that have guided her life were still evident, though she had lost memory of the things that did not matter so much. Helen Lois Long was born April 9, 1917, in the house her father, Bert Long, built for his bride, Blanche Green Long, in 1903. Her grandfather, William Long, had settled on the land in 1868. William's parents, Valentine and Phrana Long, had moved their family to Iowa in 1849 because of the availability of land for their large family. He was able to buy nearly 1,000 acres from the government (some for 25 cents an acre) and gave each of his eight sons a farm. William chose to sell his land north of Centerville and buy the land near Seymour. Bert bought his brothers' (Will's and Henry's) shares of the farm when William died. A son born to Bert and Blanche in 1906 died shortly after birth, and they had little hope of more children when Helen surprised them at age 40. Helen attended the one-room school about a mile from the farm--starting in second grade at age 5 because her mother, a former teacher, had already taught the basics. She graduated from Seymour High School in 1933 at age 16. Helen went to Iowa Success School in Ottumwa, studied shorthand and typing and other office skills, and babysat to earn her room and board. She was brought up in church, but accepted Christ as her Savior at a tent meeting in Ottumwa. As she began to study the Bible in earnest, she decided she must break up with a boyfriend who was not a Christian. In 1935 she learned of Open Bible Institute in Des Moines and decided to get a job in Des Moines and attend night classes. When she graduated from the Institute in 1938, she was asked to become the registrar of the school. She met Marlen Flower there and they were married January 1, 1939. Helen continued her job at the school and church during the war years while Marlen served in India and China, and her sister-in-law, Evilo, cared for the two boys. Marlen returned in January 1946 and resumed his job as bookkeeper for a meat packing plant. However, word soon came that Bert Long was ill and likely would not live long. They made the decision to move to Seymour and Marlen would learn to be a farmer. He credited the night classes he took and his good neighbors for helping in those early years. Life centered around church and family--and music. Helen found time to sit at the piano with each of the children while they practiced to make sure they were learning it correctly. They lived at the family farm for 51 years until 1997 when they moved to Greenville, South Carolina to be near their children. Marlen died in 2007. Helen lived with Lorena and Ken for 10 years until she required more care. Helen loved both her vegetable garden and flower garden. She excelled in her sewing and cooking skills. She served the Lord at First Baptist Church of Seymour as pianist, Sunday School teacher, Awana leader, and mentor, along with Marlen, to young Christians. She is survived by her sons, Dennis (Ruth Ann) of Elche, Spain, and Lance (Janet) of Greenville, SC, and her daughters, Lorena (Ken) West of Simpsonville, SC, and Nancy Smith (fiancé Guy Watkins) of Greenville, SC, as well as 11 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. A service will be held at Mackey Mortuary on Century Drive in Greenville at 3:00 on Monday, Sept. 24 with visitation from 1:30 – 2:45. The Iowa service will be held Friday, Sept. 28 at 11:00 with visitation at 10:00. Helen will be buried beside her beloved husband, Marlen.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Helen Lois Long Flower's memorial?
Helen Lois Long Flower's memorial is located at: Southlawn Cemetery, Seymour, Wayne County, USA.
When did Helen Lois Long Flower death?
Helen Lois Long Flower death on 21 Sep 2018 in Greenville County, South Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Helen Lois Long Flower's memorial?
Latitude: 40.6763992
Longitude: -93.1207962

Family Members:

Parent

Albert S. “Bert” Long

(1876 - 1946)

Blanche Beryl Green Long

(1876 - 1976)

Spouse

Marlen Lee Flower

(1917 - 2007)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Southlawn Cemetery
Seymour, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6763992, -93.1207962

2. Shoultz Cemetery
Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6481018, -93.0914001

3. Tharp Cemetery
Seymour, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6474991, -93.1572037

4. Hickerson-Stacker Cemetery
Seymour, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6597000, -93.1874000

5. Amish Hidden Acres Rest Cemetery
Seymour, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6312450, -93.1734310

6. Sharp Cemetery
Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6916700, -93.2002000

7. Genoa Cemetery
Genoa, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6044006, -93.1260986

8. Harris Cemetery
Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6225014, -93.1877975

9. Crossroads Cemetery
Plano, Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7444000, -93.0753021

10. Jerome Cemetery
Jerome, Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7168999, -93.0353012

11. Bollman Cemetery
Promise City, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7152600, -93.2088800

12. Miller Cemetery
Numa, Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6817017, -93.0183029

13. Promise City Cemetery
Promise City, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7496986, -93.1568985

14. Pleasant View Cemetery
Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6072006, -93.1828003

15. Ripper Cemetery
Corydon, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6957000, -93.2290000

16. Livingston Cemetery
Cincinnati, Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6230698, -93.0315399

17. Farmer Cemetery
Numa, Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6767006, -92.9963989

18. Hibbsville Cemetery
Numa, Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6599998, -92.9869003

19. Shriver Cemetery
Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6808014, -93.2621994

20. Numa Cemetery
Numa, Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6931000, -92.9757996

21. Lyon Family Cemetery
Johns Township, Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7793999, -93.0591965

22. Dodrill Cemetery
Promise City, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7897320, -93.1566080

23. Adamson Cemetery
Numa, Appanoose County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6661243, -92.9585356

24. Jones Cemetery
Promise City, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8008000, -93.1100000