Thelma Carlene (Macke) Long, age 85, left behind her earthly body and began her eternity with Jesus on Sunday evening, May 23, 2021. She was born June 20, 1935 in Du Quoin, Illinois to Carl & Alice Macke.
After graduating from Du Quoin high school in 1953, Thelma worked for a short time as a secretary before marrying her first husband and having her son, Melvin. Shortly after having her son, her husband abandoned the family. After moving with her parents to Maryville, IL, she worked at Melody Dry Cleaners in Collinsville where she met her second husband, Joe Long. They were married on June 9, 1959. After having her daughter, Thelma became a stay-at-home wife and mother. To help with the family finances, Thelma used her amazing skills as a seamstress taking in mending, laundry and other odd jobs. She also was hired by then Maryville Police Chief Ray Hasty to be the crossing guard at Highway 159 for the old Maryville Elementary School which was located at the current spot of the Maryville Fire Department. After her daughter was in full-time school Chief Hasty hired Thelma to be his secretary and the clerk for the Police Department. Some of her duties included taking the vehicle sticker payments and collecting water bill payments. In this position she developed a relationship with many of Maryville’s “old time” residents. Eventually Thelma taught herself computer and bookkeeping skills and began to help out the Village Treasurer and Clerk. After the retirement of Treasurer Hendrix and Clerk Vallino, Thelma was appointed the first female Village Clerk & Treasurer for the Village of Maryville. A position she held until her retirement from the Village of Maryville after 40+ years of service in April of 2010 at the age of 74. For about 2 years after her retirement, she volunteered with the Anderson Hospital Auxiliary (the famous “Pink Ladies”) and worked in the gift shop.
Thelma was an excellent seamstress making many dresses for her mother, herself, her daughter and granddaughters. She made many bridesmaids dresses, doll dresses and loved dressing her granddaughters in frills. She enjoyed crocheting & cooking and just about any craft. She also received great joy in shopping and would insist on spending her money on whoever she was shopping with instead of herself (especially her granddaughters & great grandchildren).
Thelma was an original member of the Maryville Assembly of God Church now known as New Rivers Assembly of God. She served as a Sunday School teacher and Missionette leader.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Joe E. Long who died on February 14, 1992; her parents Carl Arthur and Alice Relee (Quillman) Macke; a brother Melvin Leroy Macke at age 12; a sister Ruthann (Macke) Bradshaw; a sister-in-law Darla Macke; 2 brothers-in-law Buell and John B. Long.
She is survived by her son Melvin Pappas and his wife Irene; her daughter Jolene R. Henry and her husband Robert P. Henry, Jr.; her granddaughters Meagan L. (Pappas) Williams and her husband Josh, their children Cody, Caleb, Hunter, Haylee and Emma; her granddaughter Jessica R. (Henry) Stoner and her husband Andrew and their daughter Anastasia; her granddaughter Allyson K. Henry and her son Garrett; her brother Merle Macke and his 3 sons; a brother-in-law Marvin Bradshaw and his 2 sons and several cousins; her fur- babies Rascal & Pooh Bear and grand fur-baby Charlie.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Illinois for their end-of-life care. The family also wishes to express their deep appreciation and gratitude to the Director, Nurses and staff of Aspen Creek of Troy Memory Care for the excellent care and compassion shown to Thelma and the family during these past 11 months that Thelma lived at the facility.
Services will be at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Family visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Open visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.; Funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Buck Road Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois; New Rivers Assembly of God; or Freedom Worship Center and will be collected at the funeral home.
Separation pain this deep is only born out of Love that was even deeper.
