Donald “Donnie” Gray Long of 171 Bevis Lane, Statesville passed away unexpectedly on April 29, 2009 at his home.
Donnie was born in Tarboro, NC on April 21, 1945 to Joseph I. and Glendora Lee Long who preceded him in death.
Following graduation from Tarboro High, Donnie attended Kings Business College in Raleigh. After graduation in 1965 he took a position with the Belk organization and moved to Ahoskie, NC where he was involved with Jaycees, holding not only local but state offices. It was there that he met and married his wife Linda Montie Long.
In 1980 Donnie moved his family to Tarboro to manage the Golden Skillet restaurant. After leaving Golden Skillet, Donnie was employed with Glenoit Corp. for over 14 years.
In Tarboro, Donnie was an active member of St. James UMC, serving his Lord wherever he was called whether as President of UM Men, Certified Lay Speaker or helping cook meals with UMM.
Upon retiring in April 2007, Donnie and Linda moved to Statesville to be closer to their son and his family. He took a part time job as a cashier and bagger at Bilo. Then in November, due to declining health, he was forced to give up this job. While not able to attend regularly, Donnie joined Wesley Memorial UMC.
Surviving are his wife, Linda; a daughter, Kellie Elizabeth Moore and husband, Jeff, and their children, Michael, Coulton, Christian and Elizabeth; and a son, Joey and wife, Jennifer, and their kids, Austin, Kailyn and Zach.
A celebration of life will be held at St. James in Tarboro with the Reverend Jim Wilson of St. James and Reverend Gervase Hitch of Wesley Memorial at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2009. Burial will be at Edgecombe Memorial Park.
Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday May 2, 2009 at Carlisle Funeral Home in Tarboro.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to St. James UMM or Wesley Memorial UMC Prison Ministries.