Obituaries

Twila Rose (Jones) Long, September 19, 1942 – November 3, 2026

Twila Rose (Jones) Long, 84, passed away on November 3, 2026 at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. Twila was born at home on the family farm between Berlin and King City, MO on September 19, 1942 to Richard Earnest Jones and Velma Mae (Daniel) Jones. She graduated with honors from King City High School in 1960 and began working for Old American Insurance Company in Albany, MO. At Old American, Twila joined her two older sisters, who were already working there, and quickly formed relationships with a group of other young women who would remain lifelong friends. The gathering spot in Albany at that time was the local bowling alley, where Twila was in a league. On January 30, 1961, friends set Twila up on a blind date with Philip Long. The two began dating and were married on July 1, 1962, just months before their 20th birthdays. After their wedding, Philip and Twila lived on a farm east of Bethany and Twila began working for a local optometrist. On Twila’s 22nd birthday, Philip and Twila welcomed their first child, Christopher Lynn. A few years later, Twila began working for Bethany Trust Company as a bookkeeper, where she worked until 1974, when she and Philip moved to the Treasure Farm southeast of Bethany and began farming full-time. In 1975, Philip and Twila welcomed daughter, Kimberly Gaye, to the family. While on the farm, Twila grew big gardens and canned fruits and vegetables for use throughout the rest of the year. In later years, she drove a tractor and grain cart in addition to keeping the books. Twila was an avid landscape gardener and maintained her flowers even after they moved from the farm to Liberty. She loved listening to music and watching sports – the KC Royals and Chiefs, Caitlin Clark, horse racing and her favorite, college men’s basketball. Twila was a member of Prairie Chapel Church, where she was active in several groups and committees, serving many years as a communion steward, and was known for her terrific home cooking, especially her pies and hot rolls. Her most cherished moments were with her family, whom she loved immensely. She enjoyed spending time with them, and watching and hearing about her children and grandchildren’s activities. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Velma Jones, in-laws, Charles and Grace Long, brothers-in-law, Eugene McAninch and Lewis George Messner, and niece, Lori Yeager. Survivors include her husband, Philip, with whom she celebrated her 64th wedding anniversary on July 1st. Other survivors include son, Christopher (Rev. Jennifer) Long of Cape Girardeau, MO; daughter, Kimberly (Thomas) Beckley of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren Emilee (Chris) Marsh, Jane (Abby) Chopin, Matthew Long, Jacob Long, Reagan Beckley, Zachary Beckley, and great-grandson, Pax Marsh. She is also survived by sisters Shirley McAninch and Beverly Messner, both of Stanberry, MO; Marcia (Terry) Thompson of Lexington, MO; sister-in-law Susan (John) Gearhart of Chickasha, OK; brother-in-law Gerald (Karen) Long of Las Vegas, NV; and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Bethany, MO. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on Friday, November 6, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Prairie Chapel Church in care of Roberson Funeral Home, PO Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.

bethanyclipper November 5, 2026 3 minutes read

Bethany, MO: Twila Rose (Jones) Long, 84, passed away on November 3, 2026 at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, MO.

Twila was born at home on the family farm between Berlin and King City, MO on September 19, 1942 to Richard Earnest Jones and Velma Mae (Daniel) Jones.

She graduated with honors from King City High School in 1960 and began working for Old American Insurance Company in Albany, MO. At Old American, Twila joined her two older sisters, who were already working there, and quickly formed relationships with a group of other young women who would remain lifelong friends.

The gathering spot in Albany at that time was the local bowling alley, where Twila was in a league. On January 30, 1961, friends set Twila up on a blind date with Philip Long. The two began dating and were married on July 1, 1962, just months before their 20^th birthdays.

After their wedding, Philip and Twila lived on a farm east of Bethany and Twila began working for a local optometrist. On Twila’s 22^nd birthday, Philip and Twila welcomed their first child, Christopher Lynn. A few years later, Twila began working for Bethany Trust Company as a bookkeeper, where she worked until 1974, when she and Philip moved to the Treasure Farm southeast of Bethany and began farming full-time. In 1975, Philip and Twila welcomed daughter, Kimberly Gaye, to the family.

While on the farm, Twila grew big gardens and canned fruits and vegetables for use throughout the rest of the year. In later years, she drove a tractor and grain cart in addition to keeping the books. Twila was an avid landscape gardener and maintained her flowers even after they moved from the farm to Liberty. She loved listening to music and watching sports – the KC Royals and Chiefs, Caitlin Clark, horse racing and her favorite, college men’s basketball.

Twila was a member of Prairie Chapel Church, where she was active in several groups and committees, serving many years as a communion steward, and was known for her terrific home cooking, especially her pies and hot rolls.

Her most cherished moments were with her family, whom she loved immensely. She enjoyed spending time with them, and watching and hearing about her children and grandchildren’s activities.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Velma Jones, in-laws, Charles and Grace Long, brothers-in-law, Eugene McAninch and Lewis George Messner, and niece, Lori Yeager.

Survivors include her husband, Philip, with whom she celebrated her 64^th wedding anniversary on July 1^st. Other survivors include son, Christopher (Rev. Jennifer) Long of Cape Girardeau, MO; daughter, Kimberly (Thomas) Beckley of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren Emilee (Chris) Marsh, Jane (Abby) Chopin, Matthew Long, Jacob Long, Reagan Beckley, Zachary Beckley, and great-grandson, Pax Marsh.

She is also survived by sisters Shirley McAninch and Beverly Messner, both of Stanberry, MO; Marcia (Terry) Thompson of Lexington, MO; sister-in-law Susan (John) Gearhart of Chickasha, OK; brother-in-law Gerald (Karen) Long of Las Vegas, NV; and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Bethany, MO. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on Friday, November 6, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Prairie Chapel Church in care of Roberson Funeral Home, PO Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.