Zelma Long biography: 13 things about De Soto, Missouri woman

Zelma Leona Zufall Long was an American retired teacher from De Soto, Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. She loved to fish, travel and watch “Wheel of Fortune“, a television game show that premiered on NBC on January 6, 1975.

Long and her husband James B. Long were killed by Carman L. Deck, Jr. on July 8, 1996. On May 3, 2022, Deck died by injection at the state prison in Bonne Terre in St. Francois County, Missouri.

Zelma worked as an elementary school teacher for 30 years before she retired. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. She was born in De Soto to Vern P. Zufall and Maybelle DeClue Zufall.
2. As an elementary school teacher, she primarily taught third grade in Crystal City, Jefferson County.
3. She was 2 years younger than James.
4. She and James have four daughters namely Linda Long, Angela Long, Christine Long and Laura Long and three sons namely James Paul Long, William Long and Martin Long.
5. In 1946, she was voted the prom queen at De Soto High School in De Soto.
6. On June 11, 1947, she married James.
7. On October 3, 1947, she gave birth to James Paul.
8. On May 20, 1972, her son James Paul was killed in a car accident.
9. On January 1, 1975, her father died at age 66.
10. On November 6, 1995, she turned 67.
11. On March 16, 1996, her mother died in Crystal City, Jefferson County at age 85.
12. On June 11, 1996, she and James celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. After the celebration, their children started planning a big surprise for their 50th wedding anniversary.
13. On July 8, 1996, Deck and his sister Tonia Cummings knocked on their door at their De Soto house, asking for directions to Laguna Palma reservoir in De Soto. She invited the siblings inside and James drew them a map. Deck pulled a gun and demanded money. She retrieved her bingo money worth around $200 from her purse in the kitchen and James offered to write Deck a check. The couple also gave Deck a tin canister with quarters. Still, Deck shot James and then her in the back of their heads and robbed them of $400.