Mary Lou (Moring) Longaker died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on October 27, 2024 in Columbia, South Carolina. Mary Lou was born in Richmond, Virginia, on November 25, 1935, to George Waverly Moring (deceased) and Nellie Virginia Taylor (deceased).  She was a sister to Ann Elizabeth Hulse, Peggy Marie Sullivan, and Nancy Trenholm Orr (all deceased). Mary Lou passed away on her 68th wedding anniversary, at the age of 89 years.  She attended Thomas Jefferson High School (in Richmond, VA), then she became a Registered Nurse at Stuart Circle Hospital Nursing School (in Richmond, VA).   It was during her nursing years, that Mary Lou met her future husband, Dail Wilson Longaker, MD.  They married on October 27, 1956 in Richmond, Virginia. 

Mary Lou and Dail raised a family of three children, who were very close in age, while living in Charlottesville, VA. Her children included a daughter, Deborah Louise Longaker Shea (Tom Kent), Dail Wilson Longaker, Jr., (Jacqueline Cecile Smith), and Stephen Moring Longaker (Virginia Lee Taylor).  She also left behind seven grandchildren: John Joseph Shea IV, Matthew Longaker Shea, Rainer Wilson Shea, Emily Moring Shea, Katherine Cecile Longaker, Anna Dail McKenna (David) and Lauren Taylor Schultz (James).

Mary Lou’s family then moved to Columbia, SC in 1963, where her husband joined the medical practice of Dr. George Bunch.  Their surgical practice expanded over the years to include: Drs. David Tribble, Robert Bunch, & Ben Tribble.

Mary Lou was a voracious reader, and would immerse herself in the study of the Christian faith and its history, spiritual studies, and various Christian based psychology books.  For a while, she attended the Columbia Seminary School.  Mary Lou was also a masterful cook and family meals were a special time for all.  Each meal was carefully planned and beautifully presented.

Mary Lou was a member of the Jamestowne Society of Virginia and she was very proud of her family heritage.  She had over 24 documented Jamestowne ancestors, two of royal descent. 

The family wishes to express their heart felt gratitude to her caregivers:  Dorothy Hickman (DeeDee) and Renata Burns (Red).   

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Visitation for Mary Lou is scheduled for Monday, November 4th from 5 to 7pm at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Columbia, SC.  

The family will hold a private burial on Tuesday, November 5th, at 10am.