Mr. Long was born in Fannin County, on Nov. 26, 1919. He was the son of the late Junie and Nettie Free Long. On Sept. 17, 1942, Mr. Long was inducted into the United States Army at Fort McPherson and during his tenure in the military he served during World War II as a Radar Crewman and in Ground Combat having seen action in the Pacific Theatre and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal; Good Conduct Medal; American Service Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with one bronze star. He was preceded in death by three brothers; Elmer Long, Homer Long and James Long. Mr. Long was the oldest member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church near Rydal.
Survivors include his wife, Laura Frances Wheeler Long, to whom he was married for 64 years. Five daughters; Elsie Carney and her husband Bobby of Adairsville, Patsy Coggins and her husband Danny of Calhoun, Jane Harrison and her husband Lester of Calhoun, Brenda Byars and her husband Mike of Acworth and Martha Rollins and her husband Paul of Fairmount. Two sons; Dorsey Long of Fairmount and David Long and his wife Annie Mae of Fairmount. One brother, Dennis Long of Rydal. Grandchildren; Denise Byars, Dana Marinich, Lisa Muse, Jennifer Adams, Milissa Hefner, Julie Burnette, Christina Evans, Kim Cochran, Lamar Harrison, Jason Harrison, Adam Byars, Allison Preston and Jarrod Rollins. Thirty great-grandchildren and two great great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives also survive.
Funeral services for Mr. Reed Long will be held Wednesday, April 27, at 3 p.m. from Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Hibberts, Rev. Forrest Leachman and Rev. Jerry Cowart officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church cemetery with Rev. Forrest Leachman in charge of the graveside rites. Music will be arranged by Matt Lacey. Pallbearers serving include; Adam Byars, Lamar Harrison, Jason Harrison, Jarrod Rollins, Paul Rollins, Bobby Long and Marshall Long. Honorary pallbearers serving include; Glenn Scoggins, Harry Lay Jr., Calvin Watts, Kenny Lacey, Jeff Lacey, Brady Moss and Jack Nally. These gentlemen are to meet at the church Wednesday at 2:45 p.m.
The family of Reed Long will receive friends Tuesday, April 26 at Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Online condolences can be shares and the guest book signed at www.maxbrannonandsons.com.
Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home of Calhoun; a Legacy of compassion and care, is conducting the funeral services for Mr. Reed Long.