Rev. Jessie Long

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Rev. Jessie L. "Dude" Long, 81, of Marble Hill died Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at his home.

He was born May 16, 1927, in Hurricane, Mo., son of David Franklin and Barbara Caroline Causey Long. He and C. Madeline Crites were married Oct. 2, 1948.

Rev. Long retired as a painter with UAW at General Motors Corp. He began his membership in Masonic Lodge 281 in Fenton, Mo., then moved to Masonic Trowel Lodge 440 of Marble Hill where he was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite member, and was a member of Order of the Eastern Star.

He was ordained into Old Liberty Association of General Baptist on March 29, 1958. He pastored 11 churches, of which he organized Mt. Zion General Baptist Church in St. Louis and Mount Olive General Baptist Church in Fenton. He was a member of Lutesville General Baptist Church in Marble Hill.

He proudly served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army as a squadron leader and an anti-aircraft gunner in Japan.

Survivors include his wife, Madeline; a son, Kevin (Ellie) Long of Marble Hill; two daughters, Connie Guccione (Charles Serra) of St. Louis, Theresa (Timothy) Sites-Karraker of Jackson; a sister, Aslee Cook of Marble Hill; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 13 brothers, two infants, Elvin, Woodrow, Ed, Ivan, Henry, Hubert, William Paul (Babe), Huey, Jake, Leo (Muck), Arzie; two sisters, an infant, Stella Cook; and one grandchild.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hurricane Fork General Baptist Church near Marble Hill. Masonic service will be at 7.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the church, with the Rev. Gale Lambert, the Rev. Steve Sander, the Rev. Junior Bennett, the Rev. Micah Bristow, and the Rev. Donnie Cook officiating. Burial will be in Hurricane Fork Cemetery near Marble Hill with full military honors provided by the Missouri Honors Team.

Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill is in charge of arrangements.