Kenneth Robert Long Sr.

Belmont, NC Kenneth Robert Long, Sr., 74, passed peacefully Wednesday, August 3, 2011. Born in Gaston County, he was the son of the late Fred Spurgeon Long and Bryte Grissom Long. Mr. Long was a retired meat cutter and manager with Harris Teeter and Park-N-Shop. He was a loving husband and father. In addition to his parents, Mr. Long was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Robert Long, Jr.; brothers, Fred Long, Jr., Dan Long, Harold Long and Bobby Long; sisters, Margaret Long and Nada Helton. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Taylor Long; daughters and sons-in-law, Gina and Billy Parker of Kings Mountain and Betsy and David Rowland of Gastonia; step-sons, Wayne Gardner of Garner and Michael Gardner of Baytown, TX; step-daughters, Debbie Denio of Belmont, Betty Page of Randleman, Donna Roberts of Kannapolis and Patricia Keller of Troutman; brothers, Bill Long of Gastonia and Ray Long of Kings Mountain; sister, Helen Barker of Gastonia; grandchildren, Jennifer Knight, Melanie Hailey, Brian Long, Melisa Baker and Katie Parker; 7 great-grandchildren; 15 step-grandchildren, 4 step-great-grandchildren The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 6, 2011 in the Founders Chapel of McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia with Pastor Jesse Hailey officiating. Burial will follow in the Olney Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 PM until 8 PM Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054 or Olney Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 251 Olney Church Road, Gastonia, NC 28056. Condolences may be sent online to www.mcleanfuneral.com McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the family of Mr. Long.