Leland Jesse Long was born July 15, 1948 to Siah and Mamie Grant Long. After a short time his grandparents Milton and Ella (yahola) Long took him to live in the Salt Creek Methodist community. At 18 months old Leland contracted polio and became very ill. Shortly afterwards his grandmother passed and Caesar Simon raised him until eventually his Aunt Florence (whom he called Mom) and her husband William (Bill) raised Leland. He was preceded in death by all his adult elders as well as brothers, Edward Franklin Jr., Julian Franklin, Gary Franklin; foster brother Bobby McGirt; and sister, Julia Franklin Grove.
Leland is survived by his wife Nellie, son Leland Jr. (Chebon), daughters LaDonna Michelle and Lauren Renee. 6 grandchildren, Juan Miguel, Valentina, S. Manuel, Antonia Joslin, Malia and Antoni Josiah all of Oklahoma City, 10 great grandchildren Isbel, Courtney, Jazmyn, Dulce, Nathaniel, Natalie, Charles, Adrienne, Eve and Juan Jr. His brothers, Oscar Lee Butler of Shawnee, Bruce Long of Chickasha, Lamont Long of OKC, Kenneth McGirt and Roscoe Davis sister's Becky Long , Lisa McGirt, Virginia McGirt and sister in-law Vivian Martinez as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He and Nellie began life together August 18,1968 and married September 15,1969. He worked at Goodwill Industries for 8 years and was named Goodwill Worker of the Year. He moved from that company to work for Rev. Don English and his wife Connie at Stewardship Resources where he retired.
He started life out hard and it never seemed to get any easier, yet he never gave up. He had a peaceful nature about him and loved to help anyone however he could.
He continued to trust in the Lord and would ask each of his family to do the same, trust in God always. We would like to say special thanks to the Rev David Little and his wife Judy for coming to see Leland every week, singing Muskogee Creek praying, sharing God's Word and making us laugh. Also, to aunt Lyndy McIntosh for the calls and wonderful food, to the United Methodist Women of Mary Lee Clark, and to his special friends Ann Marshall, Paul Fixico, Merle Berryhill and lastly a big thank you to Mary Lee Clark Church family for being our support throughout this trying time. Leland loved his family and friends and especially loved his church family.
Memorial donations may be made to Mary Lee Clark Memorial UMC at 1100 Howard Dr. Del City, OK 73115 or St. Jude Children's Hospital at the link below or by mailing a check to 501 St Jude Place. Memphis, TN 38105
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=wtg-mm-btn-donate-now
