Ricky Davis Long

Ricky Davis Long, 63, of Lewisville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 4th, 2024, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, surrounded by his family.
 
Ricky was born on February 14th, 1961, in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to Elmer Davis Long and Elizabeth Ann Mayberry. 

Early in Rick’s childhood, his grandfather introduced him to hunting and fishing, which led to his great love for the outdoors and animals that he would carry all throughout his life. He played football and wrestled through his school years, and attended church on a regular basis as a child. One night when Rick had gotten into trouble as a child, he asked his father if he could pray before he was punished. Rick got down on his knees and asked the Lord to forgive him. After his prayer, his father was so proud of him for asking the Lord’s forgiveness, he didn’t punish Rick that night. That was just Rick, he was a genuine and big-hearted person with a great love for the Lord. 

After high-school, he went to work at RJ Reynolds as a mechanical engineer in the machine shop completing repairs and maintenance for many years. He then opened a feed and seed store off Highway 67 helping farmers with their needs. He always loved everything about the outdoors; farming, animals, and fishing. He and his sister took often trips together tubing down the Yadkin River and enjoying the outdoors growing up. Rick eventually retired from Westrock where he had worked as a mechanical engineer for many years and focused on his love for woodworking. Rick was always a very talented individual. If he could dream it, he could build it. Rick and his father completed four log cabins together and many other woodworking projects. Rick also loved to dance. Many times, he would go dancing at Lewisville Square when they had beach music, and through a mutual friend, Rick met and fell in love with Loretta Shore of Lewisville, North Carolina. 

Rick and Loretta had many things in common, but the biggest one, a love for horses. They loved spending time with their horses and often traveled the nation showing Quarter Horses together. Rick and Loretta were so compatible and loving toward one another. They were always happy in everything they did together. They loved to travel, go to the beach, listen to music, and go dancing together. They often had a garden together, and Rick loved to bring home his latest woodworking project as a surprise to Loretta. He loved anything that made her happy. Together they shared many precious moments and happy times along their journey. They had a grand love for one another. Shortly after Rick’s 63rd birthday, he fell ill with cancer. He was surrounded by Loretta and his sister as he passed looking out over the ocean in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

Those left to cherish his memory include his fiancée, Loretta Shore of Lewisville, NC; sister, Kim Mendenhall and spouse Jeff Mendenhall of Lexington, NC; step daughter, Katherine Shore and spouse Jamie Bullins of Sparta, NC; step grandson, Landon Hartman of Sparta, NC; niece, Amanda Padgett and spouse Josh Padgett of Winston-Salem, NC; great niece, Katie Padgett; great-nephew, Adam Padgett; uncle, Jerry Mayberry and spouse Rhonda Mayberry of Winston-Salem, NC; mother-in-law, Bonnie Sides of Sparta, NC; and many dear friends.

The family will receive friends at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel Tuesday, May 7th 2024, from 6:00-8:00PM. A funeral service will be held the following day, Wednesday, May 8th 2024, at 12:00PM at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with Rev. James C. Newsome, Jr. and Josh Padgett officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service in a family cemetery, located at 1100 Glen Oaks Drive, Hamptonville, NC 27020. 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Woodland Baptist Church, 1175 Bethania-Rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC 27045.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Long family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

“God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be; so he put HIS arms around you, and whispered, Come With Me. With tearful eyes we watched you suffer, and saw you FADE AWAY; Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A GOLDEN HEART stopped beating. Hard working hands to rest; God broke our hearts to prove to us, He Only Takes The Best.”