Matthew Lee Long

Mr. Matthew Lee Long of San Diego , CA formerly of Slocomb , AL departed this life on Saturday, September 24, 2011. He was 98. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Countyline Missionary Baptist Church, Slocomb, AL, Rev. James Dawsey (Pastor), officiating.  Rev. Paul Grider will perform the eulogy. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to service time. Visitation will be Friday, September 30, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.        Matthew Lee Long was born in Dale County Alabama on April 25, 1913.  He was the fourth of 10 children born to the union of Mattie Cordelia (Whaley) and Daniel Crawford Long.  Matthew was affectionately known as "My Daddy" by his children and many of their friends. He grew up in rural Midland City , New Hope and Pinckard areas where he began to learn and enjoy his lifetime occupation of farming. As a child, he united with Christ and attended church at New Hope Methodist Church and Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church until moving to Slocomb and joining Countyline Missionary Baptist Church , where he remained a faithful member for 61 years.        Matthew Long and Ida Mae Flowers were married in 1937 and were dedicated to each other until her death in 1984. To their union, God blessed them with nine children, of which three, Ralph, Yvonne and Mary Long White preceded him in death. This union began with a humble start of farming with an ox, but continued to prosper in the spiritual, economical, emotional and social dimensions over their life times. With his focus on his children's education, he moved his family to Slocomb , Alabama in 1949. Farming was his most joyful activity of life. He often commented that he only did three days of work in his entire life that weren't farm work. Plowing mules was extremely enjoyable to him, yet he adapted to farming with a tractor. He entered adulthood with a 4th grade education, but attended night school in the early 1950's at Geneva County Training School where he received a Certificate of Completion. His focus was to learn better business farming techniques, methodologies and strategies.      Matthew enjoyed the blessing of longevity. During his 98 year journey on earth, he served God and his community in several areas. He served as a School Board Trustee in the Geneva County School District; Deacon and choir member in the Countyline Missionary Baptist Church; Member Slocomb Joppa 144 Masonic Lodge; Sacred Harp song leader; and Member of Geneva County Farm Organizations.      Matthew enjoyed dual tenancy in Alabama and California after the death of his loving wife in 1984. He enjoyed the opportunity to travel to many cities in the United States and Mexico . He continued his love for the land by planting several gardens in California . He was able to attend numerous ceremonies of his children such as graduations, commissioning and retirements. Most of all, he was dedicated to the success of farmers, youth, community and church members.      He is preceded in death by his mother Mrs. Mattie Whaley Long, his father Daniel C. Long; his wife Ida Mae Long; sisters Lillie Long Drew, Era Daniels, Josephine Patterson, Hattie Kennedy, Eldora Long; brothers Marvin Long, Tellis Long and John Long; three children Ralph, Yvonne and Mary Long White. To treasure his memory, he leaves one brother, Marion Napoleon Long (Geraldine) of Dothan, Alabama; eight children, Virgel Beatrice Campbell of Atlanta, Georgia; GMCM Matthew Augustus Long, USN (Ret.) (Maxine) of El Cerritos, California; CWO4 James Ellis Long, USN (Ret.) of Ozark, Alabama; LT Simon Lee Long, USN (Ret.) (Linda) of Riverside, California; Enoch Carthell Long (Shirley) of San Diego, California; and CAPT Ada Long-Croom, USN (Ret.) of Spring Hills, Florida, Deborah Rivera (Angel) of Cromwell, Connecticut, and Wayne Pouncey (Pamela) of Rocky Hill, Connecticut ; eighteen grandchildren, Vivian, Sheldon, Darron, Andrea, LaShonda, Thomas, Victor, Sharonda, Jacqueline, Reginald, Kimberley, Anthony, Paul ("PJ"), Matthew, David, Angel, Lydia and Nathan; twenty-one great grandchildren; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and many sisters and brothers in Christ.