Anita Joe Long

1939 - 2025

Anita Joe Bucy Long left her earthly home early Saturday morning after a brief illness. She was born January 28, 1939 to Jim and Rosalie Vetrano Bucy of Saltillo. She married her high school sweetheart Jimmy Long. On June 11, they celebrated their 69th anniversary. They were chosen Mr. and Miss Saltillo High School in 1956. She was a devoted member of St. James Catholic Church. She was known as everyone's mama and Gram as she carried many children over the years to ballgames, practices, club meetings, vacation bible school, and many other activities. She was a devoted caregiver, taking care of her mother and mother-in-law until their deaths, and until her illness her husband and her brother. As one of the oldest cousins on both sides of her family, Anita Joe was always quick to offer help and guidance. She was a fantastic cook. She prepared lunch every Sunday for family and friends and cooked lunch for the many men who worked on the family farm for years. You would always find a homemade cake or some cookies if you dropped by to visit. Her favorite meal to cook was her Vetrano family Spaghetti and Meatballs that she lovingly prepared every year for her family reunion and many more times throughout the year for her Sunday lunches. Throughout her life, she was a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader. She owned the Birmingham Ridge Outlet Shop with her mother-in-law. She worked for the Lee County Extension Service Senior Citizens program where her talent for crafts excelled. She and her husband owned Jim's Quick Check on Birmingham Ridge. She loved her family with all her heart and was so proud of each one of them. Her greatest joy was the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an amazing woman who touched many lives and her legacy was one of giving. She will be greatly missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her mother-in-law and father-in-law Murray and Virginia Long, and her son-in-law John Kennon Brown.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 3 PM Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 from St. James Catholic Church with Father Tim Murphy and Father Henry Shelton as co-celebrants. Private family burial will take place in the Saltillo City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 PM-service time at St. James. Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is honored to be serving their great friends.

Anita Joe (Gram) is survived by her husband of 69 years, Jimmy Long. Three daughters, Debbie Morgan (David), Teresa Gregory (Scott), Mary Jo Brown, one son, Jim Bucy Long, and her brother Jimmy Bucy, all of Saltillo. Nine grandchildren, Emilia Thomason (John), Will Morgan (Carlee), Jared Koon (Savannah), Joseph Koon (Jessi), Jenna Rose Vasquez (Christopher), Charlie Bronc Anderson (Rachael), John Allen Brown (Lauren) John Bucy Long and Stephanie Harrison (Robert). Thirteen great grandchildren, Bella Rose and Mia Claire Morgan, Rosie and Virginia Grace Thomason, Ezra and Miller Koon, Ellis and Emily Koon, Jace and Brixton Anderson, Collins Brown, Cooper and Eli Harrison. Her caregivers, Betty Guyton, Visiting Angels, Jennifer Schultz, Missy Niblett, and Lisa Roberts. Special thanks to NMMC Home Hospice for their care. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. Will Morgan, Jared Koon, Joseph Koon, Charlie Bronc Anderson, John Allen Brown, John Bucy Long, John Thomason and Christopher Vasquez. Honorary pallbearers will be David Morgan, Scott Gregory, Woe Vetrano, Bill Vetrano, Tony Vetrano, Charlie Stanley, Buddy Stanley, Carter Stanley, David Irwin, T.B. Dye, Jr., Jeff McCord, Dickie Grinder, Malcolm Blissard, Al Rice, Dan Franklin, Greg Wood, and Darrell Gates.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LeBonheur Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 41817, Memphis, Tn. 38174 , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for Children, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, Tn. 38105 or to St. James Catholic Church, P.). Box 734, Tupelo, Ms. 38802 or the charity of your choice in her memory.

Condolences may be record on Anita Joe's memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com