Norman Elzmore Long
(October 29, 1920 - March 28, 2008)
Absent from the body, present with the Lord. Norman Elzmore Long came face to face with his Lord and Savior on Friday, March 28, 2008 and joined those he loved dearly, his parents, Gus Albert Long and Ettie Price Long; his sister, Lela Long Bennett; his brother, J.W. Long and a dearly loved son, W.A. Long.
Born on October 29, 1920 at Hazel Grove, Arkansas, he spent his early years farming with his family in Cord, Arkansas and attended school at Oak Ridge and then Newark High School.
He entered into World War II with the US Army in August 1942. He trained at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. and served with the 67th Evacuation Hospital for 39 months as a surgical technician. His tour of duty included Ardennes, Germany, Central Europe, Normandy and Northern France. He was awarded 5 bronze stars for these campaigns and the medal of good conduct.
He returned home in November 1945 where he met and married the love of his life of almost 62 years, Geneva Shaw Long. They embarked on a wonderful life together, settling in Memphis, Tennessee where they raised 3 children, the late W.A. Long and his wife Kay Long of Germantown, TN, Norman Mark Long and his wife, Jill Long of Olive Branch, MS and Cathy Long Holt and her husband, Todd of Columbia, TN.
Norman and Geneva founded Dixie Linoleum and Carpet in the 50’s. In 1974 he retired and they returned back home to Cord where they attended Cord Baptist Church and he served as a deacon, and loved greeting everyone at the door conveying his love of the Lord with a friendly smile and a bulletin.
He enjoyed playing Skip-bo with friends and family, visiting with neighbors at the local gas station as he would fill up their car or help fix a flat. He was always ready to go fishing or to eat a mess of fish and he loved gardening.
Most of all he loved staying busy and having a job to get done. Another joy was doting on his grandchildren. He leaves his legacy to Jason Long and his wife, Faith Long of Lakeland, TN, Wendy Young and her husband, Brad Young of Cordova, TN, Jonathan Ellis Long and Jacob Norman Long both of Olive Branch, MS, Abigail Grace Holt and Anna Kate Holt both of Columbia, TN and one great-granddaughter, Macie Jewel Long.
There is a huge hole left in our hearts because he was so special to all of us. We will miss his wisdom, twinkling eyes and sharp wit, but we know we will see him again in Heaven.
Services are Sunday, March 30, 2:00 p.m., at the Cord Baptist Church with Bro. Jeff Childers and Bro. James Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Center Grove Cemetery in Charlotte under the direction of Willis Funeral Service of Batesville.
Pallbearers will be Rob Reschke, K. Michael Osborne, Chuck Osborne, Randy Paul, Barry Lillard and Darren Lillard.
Honorary pallbearers are Hershell Hardin, Bobby Morrison, Leonard Linsey, I.J. Shaw, Roy Lee Shaw, Harry Wright, Neil Troy Price, Charles Osborne, Raoul Spragg, George Catton, Hayden McClure and Eugene Gardner.
Visitation is Saturday evening from 5-8 p.m.
