Bobby Long

Bobby Joe Long died Sunday, May 26, 2013. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Shandon Baptist Church by Dr. John R. "Dick" Lincoln and the Revs. Barry Gray and Jerry Long. Visitation will follow the service at the church in The Gathering Place. Mr. Long will be placed in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. for those who wish to pay their respects. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Stoner's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Southmont. The family will receive visitors at noon. He was many things to many people, but the role he most enjoyed was anything to do with his family. To Alice Coppley Long, high school sweetheart, whom he married Oct. 14, 1950, he was her soulmate. He was a loving Daddy to their two lovely daughters, Libby and Melynda. To his parents (now deceased), Joe and Mae Grubb Long of Southmont, he was the only child and a devoted son. Mr. Long has been retired since 1985 from the Department of the Army as a federal auditor after 35 years of service. In 1960, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Fort Jackson Federal Credit Union, which is now the All South Federal Credit Union, and served for many years on the supervisory committee of the credit union. He has been a member of Shandon Baptist Church since 1953 serving as Sunday school teacher, deacon, benevolence committee chairman, counting committee chairman and active roles in his own Sunday school class. He also helped establish the use of wheelchairs for members of the church that needed them. His caring spirit extended to many friends and those in need. He will be missed in many ways. He is survived by Alice, his loving wife of 62 years. She cared for him in a loving and devoted manner that is an example for all to follow. He is also survived by daughters Libby (Clark) Riddle of Greenville, S.C., and Melynda (Alvin) Beverly of Sanford, Fla.; five grandchildren, Keith (Sarah) Riddle of Boston, Mass.; Nelson (Christina) Beverly of Sanford, Fla.; Doug (Heike) Riddle of Germany and Anna (Jacob) Pippin and Lloyd (Angela) Beverly, all of Sanford, Fla.; and eight great-grandchildren, Timothy, Joseph and Aaron Riddle, Samuel and Norah Riddle, Jackson and Karlee Jo Pippin and Abigail Beverly. Preceding him in death was his infant son, Bobby. Mr. Long was always quick to give God the glory for all his many blessings and especially grateful that he had a loving and Christ-following family. He and Alice would often say "we had it all," referring to a good family, loving church, good jobs and many wonderful friends. His family looks forward to the day when they will be reunited with him in heaven in the loving arms of our Savior. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Shandon Baptist Church, 5250 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29206; Stoners Grove Baptist Church, Box 172, Southmont, NC 27351; The Boston Project Ministries for Keith and Sarah Riddle, 670 Washington St., Dorchester, MA 02124; or Cadence International for Doug and Heike Riddle (#10655), Box 1268, Englewood, CO 80150. Dunbar Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Palmetto Health Home Care and Hospice and especially the Comfort Keepers' caregivers. Their attention and devotion to the family is greatly appreciated.