Memorial Services for Ruth Lanell Lewis-Long, Age 86 of Mountain Home, Arkansas will be held on Monday, April 27th, 2026 at The Lilly-Ridge Baptist Church, Gainesville, Missouri, beginning at 11:00 AM. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 10:00 AM.
Arrangements under the direction of The Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, Missouri.
Ruth Lanell Simpson Lewis Long was born at Clarkridge, AR August 18, 1939 and entered into eternal rest April 23, 2026 at Hospice of The Ozarks – Hospice House, Mountain Home, AR.
The daughter of Henry Perry Simpson and Virgie Lee Siler Simpson, Lanell graduated with the Mountain Home High School Class of 1957 where she played clarinet with the marching band and was active in the pep, glee, dramatics, music, and library clubs.
On May 18, 1958, she married Emmett Lewis and they had four children. Longtime members of The Lilly Ridge General Baptist Church, together, they served as Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star. After being widowed for 10 years, Lanell married Roger Long. Lanell and Roger had wanderlust and traveled all over the country.
Lanell had a zest for living and loved to laugh, fish, bowl, garden, and mow her yard. Over the years, she took classes in macramé, ceramics, and cake decorating. She had a very strong work ethic. Whether it was cleaning cabins, working at Hallmark, Baxter Lab, home health, hauling kids in the Lilly Ridge church van, teaching Sunday school, or delivering mail, she went above and beyond, working in service to others.
She would try just about anything, from skydiving, parasailing, hot air ballooning, to zip lining. She was a great water skier and loved to float the rivers. She also found much joy in seeing a bald eagle, deer, or flowers blooming in the spring. She was in awe of all of God’s creation, but most especially her kids, grand and great grandkids.
Lanell was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, siblings Marie Simpson Lewis, Johnny Simpson, and Jimmy Simpson, and survived by her sisters Sue Gragg of Mountain Home and Marveloi Carter White of Clarkridge; son Rex Lewis and wife, Barbara, of Mtn. Home and their family Emily (Zach) Clonts, Erin, (Jim) Nathan, and Meredith Warr, Maddy (Matt) Platko; daughter Rhonda Newton and husband, Terry, of Dora and their family Whitney (Ben) Wachter, Tyler, (Tabitha) Newton, Wyatt Honeycutt, and Tillie Newton; son Tim Lewis and wife Janie of Mtn. Home and their family Klay Killian and Isla, Monica Lueck and Laney, Lindy, Lexy, and Lawson Lueck; daughter Cari Lewis and husband Dan Luedcke of Ellison Bay, WI and their children Rel and Etta Luedcke; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and family she treated as her own.
Mama, you were deeply loved. We will miss your beautiful smile but know we’ll see you again.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Zack and staff at Baxter Regional Hospital, the employees of Hospice House, and Carla and staff at Baxter Retirement for the excellent care extended. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Hospice of The Ozarks – Hospice House; 774 Long St; Mtn Home, AR 72653.
