Norma Jean Marsh Long

Norma Jean Marsh Long, age 89 of Rose Hill, VA, was born on June 06, 1936, in Alamosa, CO. She was known and called “Jeanie” or “Grannie” by most that knew her. She departed this life at the Middlesboro Appalachian Regional Hospital in Middlesboro, KY on Sunday, August 10, 2025, after a brief illness.

Norma was a member of the Arthur’s Chapel Holiness church in Rose Hill, VA.

Norma was born to William Issac and Clara Marsh and was raised in southeastern Colorado. Through her early life she was a true western cowgirl. At age 16, she met her husband Robert Willard Long while she worked in a diner in town, where he would go to eat while employed in the area. They fell in love and decided to get married and chose July 4th for their wedding, but due to her age they could not get married in Colorado. They left and went to Taos, NM, arriving after midnight. They were united in Holy Matrimony on July 5th, 1952, and after he finished his employment there, she left Colorado and moved to Rose Hill, VA. She was often heard saying that Willard took her from a land of plenty to a land of starvation. But, her decision to come to Southwest Virginia later proved to be the best thing she could have chosen. Being a western girl, she wore blue jeans, western shirts and cowboy boots with her hair cut off short, smoking cigarettes and swearing with the best of them. When she moved to Virginia, she was introduced to a far different way of life. The greatest of all things that happened was she found true Holiness and was saved and baptized with the Holy Ghost. Throughout her life she would constantly pray for her family, always instilling the true word of God in them. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Norma and Willard always had a passion for praying for the sick. They traveled untold miles to many states to pray for people, and a lot of the people that live in this area were blessed to have them come and pray for them. Her grandson, Justin, always said that when Grannie and Papaw came and prayed for you, you always got better. They were true prayer warriors.

She also instilled a strong work ethic in her family, taught us how to work and always gave you plenty to do. We may have lost a saint, but Heaven will surely gain a precious jewel. A true testimony to her faith was praising the name of Jesus, telling the Lord, she loved him and asking the Lord to help her up to the point that she lost the ability to talk. Norma passed while surrounded by family and friends. She will be greatly missed by her family and the many, many friends that knew and loved her so much.

Norma is preceded in death by her father and mother, William Issac and Clara Marsh; brothers, Bill Marsh, Lee Marsh and Kenneth Marsh; sister, Edna Morris; and grandson, Justin Stuart Long.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Robert Willard Long; daughters, Patrica Smith (Rayvon) of Kernersville, NC, Debbie Long of Tazewell, TN and Katherine (Dan) Brooks of Rose Hill, VA; sons, Bob (Darlene) Long of Rose Hill, VA and Rodney (Jo) Long of Rose Hill, VA; grandchildren, Jessica Smith, Amanda (Randy) Jones, Jonathan Smith, Shawn Renee Vaught, Chasity (Aws Al) Sallami, Jason (Julie) Cottrell, Travis Cottrell, Amber (Tom) LaBatt, Danielle (Ryan) Jett, Kaleb (Sarah) Rivers and Cody (Amy) Long; great grandchildren, Alex Smith, Elaina Jett, Kennidy Hurt, Kaylee (Cody) Moore, Sydney (Stephen) Seale, Nicole Fee, Dalton Long, Clara Cottrell, Brayden Chadwell, Kaitlyn Long, Makayla Long, Ava Long, Addie Long, Tanner Long, Rodney Hugh Long, Ella Long, Gina Martin, Shawn Martin, Alessandra LaBatt, Issac LaBatt, Briana LaBatt and Rachel LaBatt; and her great-great grandchild, Sedona Moore. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Brenda (Larry) Owens and Audrey Jean Long; brother-in-law, Don Long; and special friend, Shelby Long.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of the ICU unit of the Middlesboro Appalachian Regional Hospital for their kindness, love and help during her stay there.

The family of Norma Jean Long will receive friends on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Cawood Funeral Home Chapel, Middlesboro KY and on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Arthur’s Chapel Church in Rose Hill, VA. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the church with Reverend Richard Long, Stephen Vaughn and others officiating. Brother Mark Long will read the obituary and music will be provided by Arthur’s Chapel Church Singers.

Burial will immediately follow the funeral service at the Lee Family Cemetery in Rose Hill, VA. Pallbearers will be Cody Long, Kaleb Rivers, Jason Cottrell, Travis Cottrell, Jonathan Smith and Dalton Long. Special Pallbearer will be Frank Dixon.

The family asks that people attending the visitation and funeral service respect the dress code of the church.

Online register book and condolences are available at www.cawoodfh.com.

All arrangements for Norma Jean Marsh Long are under the care of Cawood Funeral Home, Middlesboro, KY.