Paul Russell Long
Services for Paul Russell Long will be held Monday, February 6th, 2017 11 A.M. at First United Methodist Church in Greenwood, MS. Mr. Long, age 85, passed away at North Sunflower Medical Center on Thursday, February 2nd, 2017.
Mr. Long was born on February 25th, 1931 in Vaiden, MS. Paul was a veteran of the Korean conflict and proudly enlisted in the US Navy on August 4th, 1950. He served aboard the USS Castor after completing basic training in San Diego. While serving in Japan and Korea, he was responsible for gun maintenance and was also specially trained as a naval firefighter. Mr. Long's awards included the Pacific Theater Medal, the Korean Service Medal with Two Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemorative Medal. After serving for 3 years and 8 months, he was honorably discharged on May 4th, 1954.
Upon his return to civilian life, Mr. Long worked at Bell Telephone and Telegraph until his retirement on May 31st, 1980 after 25 years of service. He was a member of the Elks Club, American Legion Post #29, First United Methodist Church, as well as the Men's Bible Class at FUMC.
Mr. Long was a Mississippi State fan who loved to tell stories of about he and his brother Charles going to games as young boys with their grandfather, Albert Stubbs. At that time, they were required to wear suits and bowties to the games, the entire road to Starkville was gravel and dusty, and Mr. Stubbs would let Paul and Charles drive as minors.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Peggy McKee Long; his parents, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Stubbs and Carl Russell Long of Phillip, MS; two brothers, Charles Albert Long and William Ray Long, both of Greenwood, MS; and three sisters, Dora Long Cade of West, MS, Jeannie Long Smith of Greenwood, MS, and Ethel Long Overturf, also of Greenwood.
Mr. Long is survived by two daughters, Libby Long Antici (Gerald) of Clarksdale, MS, and Leslie Long Cooper (Mark) of Fort Worth, TX, and a special friend and companion Ms. Jerry Singleton. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Russell Antici (Tiffany), Rebecca Antici Winters (Adam), Brandon Antici (Kelly), Elena Merrill, and Claire Guillote; eight great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 10 A.M. until service time at the church. Rev. Brad Hodges, and Rev Glen Seefeld will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Mark Cooper, Terry Cade, Gerald Antici, Adam Winters, and Mark Singleton. Honorary Pallbearers will be Willie Sheppard, Dr. Kenny Hines, Dr. Bill Clark, Tony DeMauro, and the FUMC Men's Bible Class. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. American Legion Post #29 will perform military honors.
Memorials may be made to the March of Dimes or First United Methodist Church. Wilson and Knight is in charge. An online guestbook may be signed at www.wilsonandknight.com