Roy Clyde Long, 81, of Elizabethton, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at the residence of his daughter. Roy was born in Waynesville, N.C., to the late Ralph and Leila Parton Long. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Carolyn Burch and Evalee Reid, and one brother, Chuck Long.
Roy worked for Highland House Furniture in Hickory, N.C., for over 30 years before retiring. He was a member of Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church and loved gospel and country music and going to flea markets. Roy also loved to watch football, WWE Wrestling and loved eating sweets.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 41 years, Shirley Faye Stout Long, of the home; nine children, Wayne Long (Kim) of Hickory, N.C., Susan Travis of Morganton, N.C., Donna Long (Allison Burris) of Newton, N.C., Jimmy Holsclaw of Elizabethton, Danny Holsclaw (Teresa) of Elizabethton, Angela Ward (Troy) of Elizabethton, Chris Holsclaw (Felisha) of Elizabethton, Crystal Aleman (Ariel) of Texas and Regina Crowder (Kenneth) of Jonesborough; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; four brothers, Troy Long, Jerry Long, Junior Long and Leon Long; and two sisters, Carmie Whisnant and Barbara Jean Thomas. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Roy Clyde Long will be conducted at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 13, in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Pastor Richard Blevins and Pastor Willie Campbell officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 4 until 6 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service, or at the residence of a daughter, Angela Ward, at other times. The graveside service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Buddy Ward, Larry Absher, Kenneth Crowder, Austin Young, Merlin Wheelock and John Chase. Honorary pallbearer will be Wes Holsclaw. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 2:50 p.m. Sunday. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Roy and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.