Katherine Ellen Long
1968 - 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce Katherine (Katie) Ellen Long of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away on December 15, 2025, at the age of 56.
Katie was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia as the youngest of four children to Lewis and Pauline (Polly) Long. She lived in Virginia until she was 2 years old, then moved to Mission, Texas with her family. While in Mission, she made friends that would turn out to be lifelong connections. She graduated from Mission High School, then went on to Texas State University (then Southwest Texas University) in San Marcos, where she made more lifelong friends and earned a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics. Her primary occupation was as a homemaker and stay-at-home mother once her daughter Mackenzie was born, through which she found profound purpose and meaning.
Katie's life was marked with a sense of awe for all of God's creation. Her faith was strong, and her love for Jesus and His teachings flowed through her. She found connection with family and friends through meaningful conversation, enthusiastic encouragement, and a playful sense of humor. Connection came to her even with strangers and often in the most unexpected ways. As an avid animal lover, numerous dogs, cats, horses, and other beloved pets accompanied Katie throughout her life. Katie also cared deeply for the environment and enjoyed spending time in nature. She found joy through hiking and exploring scenic backroads of the Texas Hill Country and the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. One of her favorite pastimes was rock hounding and immensely enjoyed "nerding out" about her rock collection. Katie also had a talent for art and aesthetics. She regularly created beautiful mixed media art and made the world a more colorful place by sharing her work with friends, family, and neighbors.
Katie is survived by her daughter Mackenzie Wallace of Atlanta, Georgia, and Mackenzie's father, Duane Wallace; siblings Stephanie "Ticka" Long of Canyon Lake, Texas; Richard Long and his wife Suzi Long of Valley Center, Kansas; Melissa Scott and her husband James Scott of Canyon Lake, Texas; and "big brother" Raleigh McClure Sr. of San Antonio, Texas; and nieces and nephews, including Raleigh McClure Jr. and wife Theresa of Golden, Colorado; Roberta Russell and husband Andrew of San Antonio, Texas; Polly Sue Lucas and husband Jason of Wichita, Kansas; Lisa Blasi and husband Jared of Valley Center, Kansas; and Stephanie Cole and husband Kelly of North Platte, Nebraska. She is also survived by multiple grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Lewis and Polly Long.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held in Texas, to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we would request that a donation be made to the Texas Land Conservancy, Living Grace Canine Ranch, or the Saddle Light Center in Katie's name.
Texas Land Conservancy: www.texaslandconservancy.org
Living Grace Canine Ranch: www.livinggracecanineranch.org
The Saddle Light Center: www.thesaddlelightcenter.com
Katie was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia as the youngest of four children to Lewis and Pauline (Polly) Long. She lived in Virginia until she was 2 years old, then moved to Mission, Texas with her family. While in Mission, she made friends that would turn out to be lifelong connections. She graduated from Mission High School, then went on to Texas State University (then Southwest Texas University) in San Marcos, where she made more lifelong friends and earned a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics. Her primary occupation was as a homemaker and stay-at-home mother once her daughter Mackenzie was born, through which she found profound purpose and meaning.
Katie's life was marked with a sense of awe for all of God's creation. Her faith was strong, and her love for Jesus and His teachings flowed through her. She found connection with family and friends through meaningful conversation, enthusiastic encouragement, and a playful sense of humor. Connection came to her even with strangers and often in the most unexpected ways. As an avid animal lover, numerous dogs, cats, horses, and other beloved pets accompanied Katie throughout her life. Katie also cared deeply for the environment and enjoyed spending time in nature. She found joy through hiking and exploring scenic backroads of the Texas Hill Country and the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. One of her favorite pastimes was rock hounding and immensely enjoyed "nerding out" about her rock collection. Katie also had a talent for art and aesthetics. She regularly created beautiful mixed media art and made the world a more colorful place by sharing her work with friends, family, and neighbors.
Katie is survived by her daughter Mackenzie Wallace of Atlanta, Georgia, and Mackenzie's father, Duane Wallace; siblings Stephanie "Ticka" Long of Canyon Lake, Texas; Richard Long and his wife Suzi Long of Valley Center, Kansas; Melissa Scott and her husband James Scott of Canyon Lake, Texas; and "big brother" Raleigh McClure Sr. of San Antonio, Texas; and nieces and nephews, including Raleigh McClure Jr. and wife Theresa of Golden, Colorado; Roberta Russell and husband Andrew of San Antonio, Texas; Polly Sue Lucas and husband Jason of Wichita, Kansas; Lisa Blasi and husband Jared of Valley Center, Kansas; and Stephanie Cole and husband Kelly of North Platte, Nebraska. She is also survived by multiple grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Lewis and Polly Long.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held in Texas, to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we would request that a donation be made to the Texas Land Conservancy, Living Grace Canine Ranch, or the Saddle Light Center in Katie's name.
Texas Land Conservancy: www.texaslandconservancy.org
Living Grace Canine Ranch: www.livinggracecanineranch.org
The Saddle Light Center: www.thesaddlelightcenter.com
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