Inez Whitaker Long, age 94, passed away on September 23, 2016 in Manteca, CA.  She was born April 1, 1922 at the family home on North Street, to George and Edith Swanson. Her respective grandparents, Gust and Anna Bowman and Helen and George Swanson settled in Manteca in 1903 on Louise Avenue.
   She was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bob” Whitaker, their son Mark Robert Whitaker, brother George Edmer Swanson, and second husband Thomas Long. 
   She is survived by her daughter Ann Whitaker Evans (Larry); son Paul Robert Whitaker (Emily); grandchildren, Mark Robert Evans, Andrew Charles Evans, Zoey Peyton Whitaker and Abigail Horton. She was blessed with five great grandchildren, Robert Andrew Evans (Merissa), Michael Dale Evans (Karen), Marc Anthony Evans, Victoria Nicole Evans, Tawna Ann Evans and great great grandchildren Fallon Riley Evans and Ansleigh Fay Evans.     
   Inez and Bob were high school sweethearts and graduated Manteca High class of 1939. Upon graduation she moved to San Francisco where she studied dress designing and tailoring. She sewed for the San Francisco Opera Co and many prominent residents of the city. In 1942 she and Bob were married and moved to Marysville for a short time, then moved back to Manteca for their remaining years.  Bob passed away suddenly in 1981 and four years later she married Tom.
   Inez was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader.  She was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Manteca Women’s Service  Club and Manteca Federated Women’s Club.  She served as an Auxiliary member at Doctor’s Hospital. Inez was a member of International Order of Rainbow for Girls, served as a board member, 58 year member of Pentalpha Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Ladies of the Oriental Shrine and was a Charter member of the Manteca Historical Society. Inez took pride in raising her family and as a homemaker.  She loved get-togethers with family and friends. The last several years while living at Prestige Senior Living Center she enjoyed the festivities and fellowship with those that lived there. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.
   Visitation will be Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at P.L. Fry & Son, 290 N. Union Road, Manteca. A private family graveside service will be held at Park View Cemetery. A celebration of life service will be held Friday, October 7, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 910 E. North Street, Manteca.
  Memorial donations may be made in her honor to St. Paul’s Memorial Fund, 910 E. North Street, Manteca, CA 95336; Manteca Historical Society, P.O. Box 907, Manteca, CA 95336; or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817-2215.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Wednesday, September 28, 2016