Charles E. Long

Charles Long Obituary

Charles E. Long
Toccoa, GA
Rev. Charles Edward (Charlie) Long, age 75, of East Tugalo Street, Toccoa, GA, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2011, at his residence.
Charlie was born in Charlotte, NC, on July 11, 1935. When he was 18 he gave his life to Jesus Christ and began preparing for the mission field. He married Elma Grace (E.G.) Davis in 1955. Together they attended Toccoa Falls College. In 1958 they traveled to Vietnam where they served until 1974. During that time, Charlie and E.G. translated the New Testament and a hymnbook into Jarai, the language of one of Vietnam's tribal people. Included in their ministry was the establishment of a leprosy clinic. In 1975, missionary work in Vietnam ceased. Charlie spent the next 30 years in the pastorate, serving the majority of those years as senior pastor of North Ridge Alliance Church in Raleigh, NC. Charlie was blessed to serve both the community of Raleigh and the Jarai people who have relocated to the NC area. Charlie was a fearless champion of the gospel of Christ, and everyone he met quickly heard about the Savior he served.
He is survived by his wife E.G. Long; sons Nathan (and Peggy) Long and Eddie (and Kathy) Long; daughters Susie (and Jon) Zeches and Joby (and Mark) Mitchell; eleven grandchildren; and sisters JoAnn Reece and Judy (and Hans) Boehls.
The family will receive friends and have a viewing at North Ridge Alliance Church, 7601 Falls of Neuse Rd. in Raleigh from 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, May 31. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 1, at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 7600 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh. Interment will be at Iona Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Fairmont, NC at 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made for the building fund of the Central Highland Dega, 204 North Bend Drive, Knightdale, NC 27545 or to the First Montagnard Alliance Church, 7601 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615.
Acree-Davis Funeral Home, Toccoa, GA, is in charge of arrangements with assistance from Floyds Funeral Home, Fairmont, NC, for Mr. Charles E. Long.
Online condolences can be made by visiting the website at www.acree-davisfh.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer from May 31 to Jun. 1, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Long

10 Entries

Lloyd Powell

June 23, 2011

EG: Charlie and I were friends in the early days at Toccoa when he lived in Steel 3. We participated in sports activities at several levels. He had a very competitive nature. Some of that was what propelled him to be the great husband and missionary that he became. This competitive spirit kept him at work on the translation work of the New Testament for the Viet Nam people that he so dearly loved. He was a walking image of a man filled with compassion and the Holy Spirit. He was always kind to me as a fellow pastor. He would give me a telephone call to inquire as to how I was doing. He was one of those I could faithfully count on to pray for me for special needs at various times in our ministry. He had a very bright mind and especially used it in ministry to Vietnamese people.

I remember when he was with us on Missions Tour in Daytona Beach and it was arranged to give him a key to the city in appreciation of his fine work as a missionary.

Now he is completely healed and probably singing in a choir led by John Klinepeter with some of the hosts of glory.

The Lord has been pleased to call him to his eternal home. It won't be too long before some of the rest of will join him in that blessed city.

May the Lord be the full comfort to each member of the family and to each friend. He was special and I thank God for his influence in my life as a fellow traveler.

Kimvan and Carl Pelon

May 31, 2011

Dear Pastor Charlie Long: We love you and you are always living in our heart and memories.
E.G; you and family are in thoughts and prayers.

Steve McKaig

May 31, 2011

Charlie was one of the most wonderful men I have ever known. He was a great pastor and witness for Jesus Christ. Anytime I saw him, no matter where we were, in the mall, at a meeting, playing basketball,or on a fishing trip he would say "Let's pray together". He was loved by many people and today he is in Heaven. He lived a life of significance helping other people and doing the Lord's work. I am sad to have lost my friend but happy for him to be well again and rejoicing with God. Our prayers are with E.G. and his family.

May 31, 2011

Rew Long will long be remembered for his dedication and support to the Montangnard people of the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
He not only assisted them during his days in Vietnam, during the war, but assisted them greatly in their resettement efforts after the war, here in North Carolina.

Paul F. Campbell
Retired US Army Special Forces
Raleigh, North Carolina

Lois Jean Rhyne

May 31, 2011

Our loss is Charlie's gain..What a reunion there is in heaven, with Aunt Eunice, Uncle Joe, Nanny, Granddaddy, momma (Edna) Daddy (J.K.) Paw Byus, but most of all Charlie has seen his Lord whom he served so faithfully. Our love and prayers are with all of you at this time. So sorry for your loss.

Frank Hancock

May 30, 2011

Cousin Charles Bullock left a voice mail regarding the passing of Charles Long.

I remember talking to Rev. Long perhaps fifty-five years ago when visiting the family at Aunt Elma's home. As a teenager, I remember a kind man who had a passion for his work. He also took the time to speak kindly and attentively to a young teenager. I may not have seen him since then, but wished to pass along this remembrance that remained with me for all of those years.

From the notes I read from friends of the family, Rev.
Long surely maintained a consistently passionate approach to people wherever he resided.

My cousin and cousins-once-removed surely shared a life with a wonderful man.

May 30, 2011

I'm so sorry to hear of Charlie's passing, my thoughts and prayers are with each one of you. Charlie lived a wonderful God-filled life blessed with a very loving family. What a reunion he is having today with Aunt Eunice and Uncle Joe AND Grandma(Charlie always said he was her favorite, may be so, but i think she still loved all 13 of us "stinkin brats" the same, Charlie just didn't know she told all of us we were her favorite) I wish i could be there on Wednesday but my heart will be with you.
Love to each one of you,
Patty Edwards Wingate

May 30, 2011

To The Family of Rev. Charles Long: Rev. Long was a very loving and wonderful man. I knew Rev. Long from many years ago when I worked @ SouthTrust Bank, he would come to the Bank, I got to know the entire family, he always expressed how proud he was of his children and how much he adored his wife, Mrs. Long, I was sad when I read of his passing and wanted to express to the entire family, how much I loved Rev. Long, I still have an autograph book he gave me many years ago, Vietnam with Love. He will truly be missed, God Bless the Long Family.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Lassiter Moore

Sharon Whitlock

May 30, 2011

We have so many delightful memories of Pastor Long, but here is my favorite.

Our first daughter, Evangeline, was about 2 months old and had experienced a few seizures, so the pediatrician ordered a brain scan. After this frightening and exhausting procedure, we drove home and crashed on the floor in our family room. Then we heard a soft tapping at the window. When we investigated, we found Pastor Long, who had dropped by to check on us and Evangeline.

He barely knew us, as we had only been attending North Ridge Alliance for a few months. We were so touched that this pastor would take the time and trouble to "shepherd" one of his littlest sheep.

I also have fond memories of Pastor Long sharing his missionary experiences with the children of North Ridge during the Missionary Week. Some of them were doozies--he told us that the men had callouses on their derrieres because they would squat instead of sitting down whenever they were relaxing! The children loved those kinds of "up close and personal" stories about life in a country far away from the U.S.!

I also remember playing piano for Pastor Long when he sang a song that I believe was called, "The Breaking of the Bread" and also the song "El Shaddai". He was a good singer, and he never followed the rhythm! Lots of fun for me to accompany. He loved music.

My oldest daughter says that Pastor Long is responsible for her career. At one of the Missionary Council meetings that we attended (after we had moved to Rockford), he told her to "Go and do great things." She's a stage manager, and feels that this is her "mission field," as Christians are often scarce in show business.

He is the only truly good pastor that my youngest daughter Charity has any memory of. When she was in grade school, he helped her (over the phone) do a report for school. Since we moved away, our experiences with churches have not been happy ones, and Charity especially was hurt by the bad actions of supposedly "called" people of God. I think that the few vague childhood memories she has of the goodness of the people of North Ridge, specifically Miss Betty (Betty Larson) and the loving pastoring of Charlie Long have been one reason why she has not utterly rejected organized church.

I'm glad that Charlie and E.G. wrote up their missionary experiences. If you haven't read To Vietnam with Love: The Story of Charlie and E.G. Long, from Jaffray publishing, Google it and buy it today. It's a great way to remember Pastor Long, E.G., their children, and the Montagnard people that they served for so many years.

Pastor Long made such a momentous impact on me that I have made not just one character, but TWO characters out of him for my figure skating novels! He is "Charles Augustine Zander," the hero of the novels, and he is also the "Rev. Dr. Timothy Long," one of Zander's best friends! If you read my novels, I hope you will see Pastor Long in these two characters.

Much love, and aching to be with y'all at this time.

Sharon Whitlock (and Brad!)
Rockford, IL

May 30, 2011

To the Family of Charles Long,

Charles was a one of a kind. The sacrifices he made for the betterment of the people of Vietnam represent the stories that produce heroes. Charles and his family did everything they could to improve the lives of others.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.

With Deepest Sympathy,

Larry & Elaine Monaghan

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