Lula Carter Long

Lula entered her eternal life through the grace of Jesus Christ on Sunday, September 16th, 2012. She lived in Kingsport most of her life, living in Wexford House the last 3 years, where she was surrounded by some wonderful caretakers who became her friends. Lula loved them and they loved her. There she was entered into the book of who's-who for long-term facilities.

She had lived in East Tennessee all of her life. One of her first jobs was bell ringing for the Salvation Army. Next she worked on B29 bombers at the end of WWII and Glen Martin in Baltimore.

Lula married her handsome sailor home from the war, Fred Long, in 1947. They raised two children. She was active in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and was awarded life time membership in the PTA.

After both of her children had made their own way in life she was finally able to fulfill her dream and become a licensed practical nurse in 1974. She worked at Holston Valley Community Hospital as well as Indian Path Hospital. Lula later went to the Sullivan County Health Department where she did home visits at a time when home health care was not readily available. She retired from there and lovingly helped care for her two granddaughters. Lula did volunteer work for the Red Cross doing blood pressures for mall walkers and other organizations. She was a member of Arcadia Presbyterian Church PCA. After the death of her sweetheart, Fred, she was still the rock of our family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; granddaughter, Jessica Woodward; daughter-in-law, Brenda Long; sister, Mary Alice Castle; brothers, Clyde Carter and H.C. Carter; two younger siblings, Robert and Monie Carter; father and mother, Ellen and Onzie Carter; and neighbors for over 50 years, Carl and Mary Ellen Phillips. They are a foursome again.

Lula is survived by her son, Fred Long, Jr.; daughter, Teresa Woodward and husband, Hoyt; granddaughter, Brandy Mowdy and husband, Tracy; grandson, Paul Bo Long; great-grandchildren, Ashton Morelock, Kyla Henry, Ethan Long, Cody Long, Dylan Long and Eion Long; brother, Cecil Carter and wife, Nan; sister, Nancy Caldwell; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family; and adopted through love, Barbara Hudson, who loved her like a mother.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 19th, 6-8:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport and at anytime at the home of her daughter, Teresa Woodward. Funeral services will follow at 8:00 pm Rev. John Irwin officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted on Thursday, September 20th at 11:00 am at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Larry Kinsler, Tracy Mowdy, Paul Bo Long, James Long, Monroe Long, Joe Kilby, Ken Strickland and Fred Hudson.

Mommy was the rock of our family and we will miss her so much. Knowing she is with our savior makes the loss a little less great. She is finally reunited with Daddy and Jessie has her memaw with her now. We will all be reunited someday.

We would like to thank the staff at Wexford House, especially 500 wing, for taking care of mom. She left behind many friends there, many were like family. We heard her tell several how much she loved them. God bless the hands of the caretakers working in the nursing home. Juanita Neeley, her roommate, was special in every way. Just as we felt God had a hand in Mom and Dad's moving to Wexford House 3 years ago, we feel God placed Juanita there after Dad's death. Her family has fast become a part of ours.

Please make any contributions to the Building Fund and Arcadia Presbyterian Church, 4616 Bloomingdale Road, Kingsport, TN 37660.