He was born April 20, 1945 in Church Hill (New Canton).
He lived in Gate City, VA for the past 36 years. A member of Hale's Chapel United Methodist Church and Choir and also a member of the New Beginnings Quartet. He worked for many years with Greyhound Bus Lines.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Blanche and Eldridge Lyons; sister, Cecile Leeper and a nephew, James Leeper, Jr.
Mr. Long is survived by his wife, Sarah (Susie) Long, of the home; six daughters, Pamela Mack, Gate City, VA, Shaunda Mack (Jessee), Kingsport, TN, Kedith Renay Anderson, Kingsport, TN, Carmen and husband, Brian Hurt, Gate City, VA, Yolanda Mack (Sanford), Kingsport, TN and Jonikki and husband, Ron Cope, Gate City, VA; one son, Rodney Mack (La Tonya), Kingsport, TN; thirteen grandchildren, Tylasha Mack, Terrence Mack, D'Andre Mack, Tihlee Anderson, Brandon Mack, LaKeisha Mack, Ava Hurt, Shaniquah Mack, Savana Green, Toni Cope, Jayce Green, Brianna Hodge and Zayne Reed; one great granddaughter, Adrianna Lane; one brother, James W. Leeper, Sr., Church Hill, TN; aunts, Mary Johnson, Jessie Welch, Kingsport, TN; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Gladys and Buster Stacey, Weber City, VA, George and Wanda Turner, Johnson City, TN, Wilma Lewis, Gate City, VA and Walter Turner, St. Charles, MO; special friends, Contrina and Bob Payne, Gate City, VA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2009 at Gate City Funeral Home and other times at the residence. Services will be at 8 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. James Snapp, Pastor Steve Templeton and Rev. Rochelle Maxwell officiating. Music will be provided by the Church Choir, New Beginnings and Janice Sharp.
Graveside services will be conducted Saturday, January 3, 2009, 11 a.m. at New Canton Cemetery, Church Hill, TN (Community of New Canton). The family will meet at 10 a.m. at the funeral home to go in procession to the cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Gordon Wood, Jeff Parkey, Jason Shoemaker, Robert Goff, Troye Anderson and Glenn McGee.
Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Muncey, Sr., Wallace Ross, Sr., Jack Anderson, Offeyette Robinette.
Contributions may be made to Gate City Funeral Home. P.O. Box 427, Gate City, VA 24251 at the request of the family of Mr. Long.
Online guest registry is available at www.gatecityfunerals.com
Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Long family.
