MATTHEWS- Joy Elwood Long, Jr. passed away peacefully on April 20, 2017 at the age of 74. He was born in Emporia, VA on October 16, 1942. He was the son of the late Ruby and Joy Elwood Long, Sr.
Joy joined the US Army as a Paratrooper during the Korean War and as a veteran; he served as the Commander of the Mint Hill VFW. He worked for Norfolk-Southern Railroad for more than 30 years. Joy discovered a love of square dancing which he and Claudia enjoyed together for many years. After retiring, he took up golf and became an avid player. He also bought a motorcycle and loved to ride it on trips to the mountains.
Joy is survived by his wife of 22 years, Claudia Cloer Long and first wife, Jeannette Ruark, as well as his two children; Jonathan Long, and Jeanna Long, and step-daughter, Cynthia Whisnant; brother, Allene Pack of Rustburg, VA; sister, Dana Parks of Orange, VA; 4 grandchildren; Marcus Long, Alexandra Long, Raven Whisnant, and Rex Whisnant. Joy was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyelle Long, and brother, Chauncey Parks of Knoxville, TN. [mother in law: Helen "Cookie" Ratcliff Simril]
A Celebration of His Life will be held at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church at 11501 Bain School Road, Mint Hill, 28227 at 12 noon on Saturday, April 22, 2017. There will be a visitation preceding the service at the church starting at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Philadelphia Presbyterian Church where Joy served as a deacon. Arrangements are being made by McEwen's Funeral Home of Mint Hill.
Joy joined the US Army as a Paratrooper during the Korean War and as a veteran; he served as the Commander of the Mint Hill VFW. He worked for Norfolk-Southern Railroad for more than 30 years. Joy discovered a love of square dancing which he and Claudia enjoyed together for many years. After retiring, he took up golf and became an avid player. He also bought a motorcycle and loved to ride it on trips to the mountains.
Joy is survived by his wife of 22 years, Claudia Cloer Long and first wife, Jeannette Ruark, as well as his two children; Jonathan Long, and Jeanna Long, and step-daughter, Cynthia Whisnant; brother, Allene Pack of Rustburg, VA; sister, Dana Parks of Orange, VA; 4 grandchildren; Marcus Long, Alexandra Long, Raven Whisnant, and Rex Whisnant. Joy was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyelle Long, and brother, Chauncey Parks of Knoxville, TN. [mother in law: Helen "Cookie" Ratcliff Simril]
A Celebration of His Life will be held at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church at 11501 Bain School Road, Mint Hill, 28227 at 12 noon on Saturday, April 22, 2017. There will be a visitation preceding the service at the church starting at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Philadelphia Presbyterian Church where Joy served as a deacon. Arrangements are being made by McEwen's Funeral Home of Mint Hill.
MATTHEWS- Joy Elwood Long, Jr. passed away peacefully on April 20, 2017 at the age of 74. He was born in Emporia, VA on October 16, 1942. He was the son of the late Ruby and Joy Elwood Long, Sr.
Joy joined the US Army as a Paratrooper during the Korean War and as a veteran; he served as the Commander of the Mint Hill VFW. He worked for Norfolk-Southern Railroad for more than 30 years. Joy discovered a love of square dancing which he and Claudia enjoyed together for many years. After retiring, he took up golf and became an avid player. He also bought a motorcycle and loved to ride it on trips to the mountains.
Joy is survived by his wife of 22 years, Claudia Cloer Long and first wife, Jeannette Ruark, as well as his two children; Jonathan Long, and Jeanna Long, and step-daughter, Cynthia Whisnant; brother, Allene Pack of Rustburg, VA; sister, Dana Parks of Orange, VA; 4 grandchildren; Marcus Long, Alexandra Long, Raven Whisnant, and Rex Whisnant. Joy was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyelle Long, and brother, Chauncey Parks of Knoxville, TN. [mother in law: Helen "Cookie" Ratcliff Simril]
A Celebration of His Life will be held at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church at 11501 Bain School Road, Mint Hill, 28227 at 12 noon on Saturday, April 22, 2017. There will be a visitation preceding the service at the church starting at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Philadelphia Presbyterian Church where Joy served as a deacon. Arrangements are being made by McEwen's Funeral Home of Mint Hill.
Joy joined the US Army as a Paratrooper during the Korean War and as a veteran; he served as the Commander of the Mint Hill VFW. He worked for Norfolk-Southern Railroad for more than 30 years. Joy discovered a love of square dancing which he and Claudia enjoyed together for many years. After retiring, he took up golf and became an avid player. He also bought a motorcycle and loved to ride it on trips to the mountains.
Joy is survived by his wife of 22 years, Claudia Cloer Long and first wife, Jeannette Ruark, as well as his two children; Jonathan Long, and Jeanna Long, and step-daughter, Cynthia Whisnant; brother, Allene Pack of Rustburg, VA; sister, Dana Parks of Orange, VA; 4 grandchildren; Marcus Long, Alexandra Long, Raven Whisnant, and Rex Whisnant. Joy was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyelle Long, and brother, Chauncey Parks of Knoxville, TN. [mother in law: Helen "Cookie" Ratcliff Simril]
A Celebration of His Life will be held at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church at 11501 Bain School Road, Mint Hill, 28227 at 12 noon on Saturday, April 22, 2017. There will be a visitation preceding the service at the church starting at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Philadelphia Presbyterian Church where Joy served as a deacon. Arrangements are being made by McEwen's Funeral Home of Mint Hill.
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