Margaret Ypres Keels Long

Mrs. Margaret Ypres Keels Long, 86, of Columbia, died Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at her residence.  Born in Florence SC, she was a daughter of  the late Alva Shafter Keels  and Maude Viola Perry and the  granddaughter of the late Jacob Keels  and Pauline Truluck and  Louis Lebert Perry and Maggie Evans. She was raised on a farm in Lynchburg, SC where she found a deep love for animals and making things grow.  She attended Trinity Baptist Church in Lynchburg.  During WWII she attended Anderson Aircraft School in Nashville, and then worked as an aircraft mechanic for the Army Air Corp in San Bernardino, CA, working  along with other women to repair battle-damaged aircraft for the war effort.   After the war she moved to Sumter, SC and worked her way through business school.  She moved to Columbia and worked for many years as credit manager for Sears and Roebuck.  She married George Fetner Long in 1956, and continued to work as credit manager for Haverty's Furniture, King’s Jewelers, Berry’s On Main and The Credit Bureau Inc.  Later she enjoyed working at Southeastern School Supply in Columbia and Lexington, the Historic Columbia Foundation, the Goodwill stores and the American Red Cross as recently as 2006. She loved sewing, crochet, ceramics, growing house plants, yard work and her many pets. In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was predeceased by brothers, Billy Keels  and Perry Keels.  She is survived by  a daughter. Cindy Long; a  son, George Fetner Long Jr.(Buck), his wife Sarah Twitty (Puddin), and a sister, Patsy Keels Platt.  She is also survived by many nephews and nieces. Family and friends may visit at her home on Oct. 11, 2011 3pm-6:30pm.  Call 803 920-3883 for directions. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Pets Inc., 300 Orchard Dr. West Columbia, 29170.