Obituary of Clara Elizabeth Long

Clara Elizabeth Long was born in Morris, Oklahoma, on June 14, 1919, to Griffin Alexander Long and Mary Ethel Manross Long. Clara departed this life on February 25, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 97. Clara lived a long and productive life. She moved to Tulsa in her early 20’s and began a career which was primarily centered on the oil and gas industries. It was a source of great pride to her to be living and working in the Oil Capital of the World. She loved Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma. She was deeply patriotic and loved the United States of America, which she traveled extensively. She traveled the world as well, taking exciting, often far-flung vacations every year for many years. Her life in Tulsa was not all work and no play. She participated in multiple organizations, most notably Desk and Derrick and Epsilon Sigma Alpha, where she held a 60+ year membership. It was in ESA that she developed the joy of service to others and especially to children. Through ESA, her favorite charity became and remained St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Clara was passionate about and excelled at many things. A skilled seamstress from a very early age, her wardrobe was impressive. If she undertook arts and crafts, or was restoring or repairing almost anything you can think of, it was done with excellence. She brought an analytical mind and a professional approach to everything she did. Clara spent her last years in Texas, having moved in 2003 to the DFW area to be near her sister Florence and her niece Annette Wells and Annette’s husband Jim. Clara was pre-deceased by her parents; sisters Alberta McDowell (Millard), Helen Thompson (Marvin), and Florence Taylor (Harry); brother Bill Long (Velma); nieces Carole McDowell Craft and Catherine Craft; and nephews Michael Thompson and Grant Aldridge. She is survived by nieces Barbara McDowell Aldridge, Annette Taylor Wells and Janet Long Emerson; nephews Curtis Long and Gary Thompson; and several generations of younger nieces and nephews. Clara will lie in state from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Thursday, March 9, at Ninde Brookside Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 5:00 -- 7:00 pm. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday at the Okmulgee Cemetery in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Ninde Brookside Chapel ninde.com 918-742-5556