Carroll Long

A service to honor the life of Mr. Carroll Long will be at 2 pm Monday, August 22, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Natchitoches with Rev. Thomas Rush and Rev. Calvin Phelps officiating. A private family committal service will follow at Zion Hill Cemetery in Tannehill, LA. The family will receive friends from 5 pm until 8 pm on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at The Natchitoches Events Center, 750 2nd Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 Carroll Long, 72 years of age and a resident of Natchitoches, passed away Friday, August 19, 2016 with his family by his side. Carroll was a winner on and off the field and especially in the game of life. Born July 9, 1944 in Winnfield, LA, Carroll joined his twin brother, Gerald who had been waiting ten minutes for the start of a journey together. His parents, Rubin Ray and Ruby Long were now proud parents of their 7th and 8th sons. Prior to the twins, Ruby had given birth to James Wade, Colvin Ray, Jimmy Dale, Tom Henry, Donald Smith and William Jack Long. Carroll was educated in Winn Parish and graduated in 1962 from Winnfield High. He left several records as a talented athlete and was awarded a football scholarship by his beloved Northwestern State College. He was named a team captain of the 1966 National Championship team coached by Jack Clayton. He was later named as a team captain on the all-century team of 100. He earned two degrees from NSU. He became a very successful State Farm agent and manager over the next 30 years earning the highest honor State Farm gives to an agent; membership in the Prestigious President’s Club. During his lifetime, he raised thousands of dollars for NSU as well as establishing numerous scholarships. The family asks that contributions be given to the Carroll Long Memorial Scholarship. These contributions will be a permanent part of his lasting legacy. Long was inducted into the Long Purple Line at NSU in 2014. His love for NSU inspired him to give of himself by serving as the Chaplain for the NSU football team the past 9 years. All current and former players and coaches are Honorary Pallbearers for his service. His legacy will be forever remembered for his generosity, compassion, and deep love for his fellow man. He especially loved the underdog and would always help people in need. Carroll Long was a loving epistle of good will and integrity for all of us. He mentored many young people and taught by example how to be a productive citizen and how to be a good husband and father. He was a father figure for hundreds of young men who were privileged to know him, but his greatest and proudest achievement was being a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. Carroll is survived by his wife of 24 years, Susan Bevill Long. The Longs have three daughters, Melinda Long of Baton Rouge, Kimberly Long Wilcox and husband Garris and their two daughters, Caroline Ruby and Ann Garris Wilcox of Baton Rouge, and Rebecca Garrett of Austin, TX; in addition Carroll leaves two brothers, Bill Long of Shreveport and Senator Gerald Long and wife Rose of Natchitoches. Pallbearers will be Gene Long, Scott Long, Mike Smith, Sam Goodwin, Jay Thomas, Austin Young, Jimmy Johns, Mike Welborn and Tommy Chester. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Mark Shelton, Greg Burke, Johnny Broussard, Jimmy Berry, Garris Wilcox, Adrian Howard, Dr. Jim Henderson, Randy Price, Norman Hicks, Jimmy Long, Jr. and “Coach Black”. The family wishes to express their appreciation to First Baptist Church of Natchitoches, the PEO of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University and Hospice of Natchitoches, especially to Robert Jackson, Ruby Efferson and Darlene Hardy of hospice, Dr. Manish Dhawan, and Jennifer Thornton, FNP-c. Donations can be made to the following: Carroll Long Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o NSU Foundation, 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71497.