Mary Sue Eden-Long

Mary Sue Dickinson Eden- Long, daughter of Elisha and Mabel (Beeney) Dickinson, was born March 30, 1926 in Hartville, Missouri. She departed this life on October 17, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 96 years, 6 months, and 17 days.

Mary Sue was the eleventh of thirteen children and was raised in Hartville, Missouri, and attended the Little Creek Country School until the eighth grade. She then attended and graduated from Hartville High School in 1945. She was saved, and later baptized, at a revival at the Little Creek Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 17. She often told the story of that night when she arrived home and told her parents of her salvation her father, Elisha, shouted in bed.

On December 25, 1946, she was united in marriage to Willie “Bill” Eden. One daughter and one son were born to this union. After their marriage Bill and Mary Sue made their home on a small dairy farm north of Hartville. Many wonderful memories were made there with their children. In 1960, Bill answered the call into the ministry. They sold their farm and proceeded to spend forty-two wonderful years pastoring a total of ten different Free Will Baptist churches.

Mary Sue’s heart, ears, and table were always open to anyone in need. The Dickinson girls were known for their cooking skills and Mary Sue was no exception. She took great joy in feeding people who would drop by for a visit. You never left her home without her wanting to feed you something. She was incredibly proud of her family and loved to talk about them and all that they were doing. She loved with the most loving and forgiving heart, taking in everyone as one of her own.

Mary Sue was devoted to many denominational works within the Free Will Baptists. Many remember her working and serving food at the Niangua Youth Camp. She was always active even up until the time of her passing. She never said, “No,” to a party, gathering, fish fry or music. She enjoyed being part of and hosting bluegrass jams in her home making many new friends along the way.

Mary Sue’s beautiful vegetable gardens were something everyone remembers about her. She loved to get her hands in the dirt and work to grow food to fill her table and canning jars. She won many ribbons at county fairs with her labors.

After her loss of Bill, Mary later became reacquainted with someone she had known for years before. Mary Sue and Kenneth Long were old sweethearts back in the day. On February 14, 2005, at age of 79, Mary Sue and Kenneth were married. They spent 12 years enjoying companionship and love. They both were very active and enjoyed going to many festivals and events. They made their home in Lebanon and later in Mountain Grove.

Mary Sue will be remembered most for her love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many times her family could overhear her talking to Jesus. She was one of the greatest prayer warriors of our time. Everyone knew that when a need arose, to call Mary Sue because she would be faithful to bring it before the Lord. Very few Sundays went by that you couldn’t find her in church ready to worship. She has told her testimony countless times to innumerable people. She loved to sing and could be found many times with her little book in hand with a song.

Mary Sue was preceded in death by her husband, parents and all of her siblings: Beulah Teague, Geneva Dickinson (age 3), Lora Taylor, Clyde Dickinson, Carroll Dickinson, Violet Gregory, Howard Dickinson (age 1), Doris Craig, Jessie Bell, Clifton Dickinson, Vevia Godwin, and Clifford Dickinson, one son-in-law, Howard Anderson, and her husband of later years, Kenneth Long.

Mary Sue leaves behind a daughter, Diana Fern Anderson, of Norwood, Missouri, one son, Ivan Leon Eden, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, four grandchildren, Scott Anderson and wife, Tonya, Sandra Wright and husband, Michael, Angela Ledbetter and husband, Jason, and Matthew Eden and wife, Cassidy, ten great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Sue Eden of Seymour and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.