Carolyn Long

Carolyn Edgarette Toombs Long of Little Rock died on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at the age of 80. She was born in Mablevale on January 13, 1931, delivered at home by her grandfather, Dr. William Wesley Ward. She was preceded in death by her parents Edgar S. and Kermit Ward Toombs; her husband of 54 years, James R. Long; and her sisters Kermit Thomas, Margaret Thompson, Helen Toombs, and Loula Wright.
She is survived by her sons, James Long, Jr. and wife Sandy of Bartlett, TN; David Long and wife Ann of Benton; Steven Long and wife Aimee of Little Rock; and Fred Long and wife Jeanie of North Little Rock. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Cleve McClendon and wife Aime of Memphis, TN; Barrett Long and wife Yuvonne of Bartlett, TN; Parker, Jessica, and Madeline Long of Benton; Ashlee Long; Robert Long and wife Amy; Emalee, Leslee, and Joseph Long all of Little Rock; Shane Long and wife Katie of Sherwood; John Long and wife Ashlee of North Little Rock; and Brent and Kyle Long of North Little Rock. She is also survived by her brother George Robert Toombs of Hot Springs Village; one cousin, Charlotte Schick of Las Vegas, Nevada; five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Following graduation from Joe T. Robinson High School, Mrs. Long simultaneously attended Little Rock Junior College and Arkansas State Teachers College, earning her bachelor's degree in 1949 at the age of 18; at the time, she was the youngest graduate from that college.
Mrs. Long began teaching in 1960 at Sherwood Elementary, the year it opened. Beginning in 1962, her 25 year tenure with the Little Rock School District included teaching at Williams Elementary, Forest Heights Middle School, and Pulaski Heights Junior High, where she was chairman of the Science Department. Her service to children also included teaching 5th grade Sunday School at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church for several years.
Mrs. Long was affiliated with many professional organizations and served as president of the Alpha Conclave, Kappa Kappa Iota. She was an active member of her church and served as a member of the Society of St. Stephen's as well as participating in two Prayer Shawl groups. Even as her health declined she continued to knit prayer shawls for others so that they could receive the comfort brought to so many through the power of prayer. She lived her life with a dedication to the principles of faith, devotion, love, compassion, and giving and she will always be treasured as a devoted wife and mother.
2 Timothy 4: 6-8: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Funeral will be held on Friday, October 7th at 9:30 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Pulaski Height United Methodist Church or to the Methodist Children's Home.