Dorinda Sue Long

Dorinda Sue Long passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2017. She was 92 years old.
Dorinda was born September 24, 1924, in Bernice, Oklahoma, to Thomas Anthony and Samantha Belle (Bartley) Messimore, Sue attended various schools in Delaware County before graduating from Sequoyah High School in 1945. She was the middle child of 9 siblings, and helped raise the younger ones. Following her schooling, she began working as a waitress at a variety of places around Claremore.
On July 10, 1946, Sue married Louis Claude Long in a Columbus, Kansas ceremony. She continued working in the food industry while living in Vinita. In 1951, the family moved to Dallas, and Sue worked as a seamstress for a curtain factory. Claremore became home in 1959, and she worked at a blue jeans factory in Chelsea. Later, Sue was employed with Gateway Luggage, again using her skills as a seamstress. In 1965, an opportunity came about to sew for a family, then by word of mouth, Sue soon had more than enough work to keep her busy. She sewed many different types of clothing, but was most proud of the many prom and wedding dresses she created. In 1997, Sue began volunteering as a teacher's aide at Little Sprouts, the pre-school program at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church. This turned into a paid position that lasted until 2012.
Sue loved gardening, and enjoyed canning its harvest every year. She was planning this year’s garden the day before she passed. She also liked to craft and spend time in her flower gardens. Sue helped coordinate the family reunions that started in 1973 and has hosted them at her home since 1999.
A loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Sue was preceded in death by her husband Louis on August 25, 1985, and daughter-in-law, Susan Long on May 16, 2009. Others going before her were her parents, brothers; Van Messimore, Elijah Messimore, James Messimore, Quincy Messimore, J.D. Messimore and sister Clara Baisden; as well as several sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law.
Those family members that survived include her children Larry Long and wife Kim; Kathy Cribb and husband Greg, all of Claremore; grandchildren Bettie Sue McCaw and husband John of Claremore, Jeremy Cribb of Claremore, Sarah Kendrick and husband Adam of Pawhuska; great-grandchildren John McCaw, Audrey McCaw, Dakota Cribb, and Miranda Cribb all of Claremore; Pierce Kendrick and Anastasia Kendrick of Pawhuska; Kayleigh Cribb of Eufaula; her brother Harry Messimore, Sr. and wife Margaret of Sapulpa; sister Betty Pruitt of Mesquite, Texas; brother-in-law James Baisden of Waxahachie, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

View and sign Sue's online tribute at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com