Frau Long’s obituary was published this morning in the Greenville News as well as on the Mackey Mortuary site. I’m sorry that there was no picture to share with you. Since both obits read the same, I will post it below. On the Mackey site, there is the possibility to sign the guest book with your thoughts about Edith for her family to read. You can do so by clicking here.
Edith S. Long
January 10, 1930 - September 07, 2008
Edith Suendermann Long, 78, went home to her Lord Sunday, September 7, 2008.
Born January 10, 1930 in Czechoslovakia, she was the daughter of the late Eduard and Julie Kolbaba Suendermann. She became an American Citizen in 1955.
She was a retired Professor of German from Bob Jones University.
Mrs. Long was a member of Morningside Baptist Church.
She was predeceased by her husband, Carroll Bolt Long and a grandchild, Brittany Leigh Nicholas.
Surviving are two daughters, Gail Nicholas and Jane Hewitt; two sons, Paul S. Long and Carl E. Long and their spouses and eight grandchildren.
Services will be conducted Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 4 PM at The Mackey Mortuary with Pastor Tony Miller and Dr. David Yearick officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland East Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7pm until 8:30pm at the mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to German Speaking Missions c/o Gospel Fellowship Association Missions, 1809 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC 29609.
Obituaries and online registry at www.mackeymortuary.com
The Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive, Greenville, SC
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on Sep 9th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Frau Long was also my husband’s German teacher and friend. She was always such an encouragement to him–a true cheerleader for his German accomplishments. Jess receives such surprised comments from native Germans about his accent. He can truly pass himself off as a native German himself. He always gives the credit to Frau Long and Dr. Salter for the fine teaching he received at BJU. I believe you taught him one semester–and of course he’s grateful–but it was the other two he believes to have made him the quality German speaker he is today. He was very sad to read her obituary this morning, but like you, thankful that Frau Long is resting in the arms of her Lord. Thank you for your fine tribute here on your blog.
on Sep 9th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Rhonda, thank you for your tribute to this wonderful, godly woman who has had such an impact on so many lives, including mine.
on Sep 10th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Rob, thank you for sharing the information concerning the death of Frau Long. I took two years of German from Frau Long as part of my history major at BJU nearly forty years ago. I was certainly not a German scholar by any means, but I so enjoyed hearing Frau Long’s recollections of growing up in central Europe. She and her family had some tough times, what with Hitler and World War II disrupting the lives of so many people.
A somewhat humorous remembrance relates to Frau Long’s slightly “southern” accent. When she spoke German, she sometimes mixed in a bit of her southern accent. I asked her about that one day, and she replied that she did indeed have an accent—she had grown up as a “southern German.” I always thought that was hilarious.
Frau Long was always so generous. She invited us over to her house on several occasions during the Christmas holidays. German Christmas goodies were served in abundance, and we also enjoyed singing Christmas carols in German. The last time that I saw the Longs was several summers ago while I was in Greenville taking summer school classes. I drove down to Simpsonville and spent a wonderful Saturday afternoon visiting with them in their home.
Frau Long will be missed. She was a real gem. I pray that God will be with her kids during these difficult days.
on Sep 11th, 2008 at 5:55 am
@David - thanks for your reflections on and tribute to Frau Long. You and I share similar remembrances of her. Her funeral yesterday was such a blessing. Her daughter Gail delivered an incredible eulogy of her sweet, godly mother. I was pleased to serve as an honorary pallbearer along with three other men who had taught with Edith for many years in the Modern Language Department. I will miss her a lot.
on Sep 12th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Frau Long was certainly much more than a teacher to many of her students. With a steady stream of students flowing in and out of her office looking for help, she was never too busy to listen . . . and offer advice. Like many, I have wonderful memories of Frau Long. I remember her kindness, her humor, her giggles when I dropped my flute during a “German team” performance. I remember lovely autumn drives we took when she wanted to see the fall colors and ducking out with her after classes to get an ice cream, a bit of Kuchen . . . or chocolate. I remember summer days and Saturdays helping her catch up on her housework, her gardening, even her painting. I remember walking along slowly with her as she struggled to speak in her confused days and sitting with her quietly as we looked out at the mountains from the nursing home window. Frau Long was a special friend and mentor to many, but to me, she was my dear, dear friend . . . she was my Tante Edith.
on Sep 12th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Karen, I know that you had a very close relationship with Edith and that you will miss her very much. She was indeed a one-of-a-kind person. Those who knew her are privileged to have had that opportunity here on earth. Thank you for your heartfelt tribute to our Frau Long.
on Sep 14th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Dear Rob,
Thank you so much for the post about Frau Long. She was my German teacher also. The story of her early life has made me ponder my American freedom more effectively than any book I have ever read.
In 1968 while doing my student teaching at Sarah Collins Elementary school under Mrs. Willie Mae Witcher, I had a very lovely girl in my third grade class. Her name was Gail Long, but I had not connected the dots until one day she raised her hand and asked, ‘Do you know Frau Long?’ Frau Long told me later that when Gail got home that day, she told her mother my face had ‘lit up like a light bulb!’
What a week this family has been through! I do pray for them all.
I appreciate your keeping us posted.