William Long : Obituary

William “Rick” Long, age 53, died at home resulting from a 14 year battle with Amystrophic Lateral Sclerosis, (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s) disease, on October 31, 2011.Son of the late Aaron Kenneth Long, Sr. and the late Bonnie Stober Long, and son-in-law of Clarence F. Dockery, and the late Della Mae Dockery, he is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Long, children’ Thomas Aaron and Dejah Seabolt, Bart and Lisa Dockery, Jonathan Long, grandchildren: Christian and Ella Victoria Dockery, Kayden and Thomas Aaron Jr., Seabolt, and family members: Debra Long, Pamela Long and Lili Gibson, Steve Loong, Edward “Buck” and Vicki Long, Ryan and Chanda Long, the late Kenneth Aaron “Tiny” Long and Lydia Long, Asa and Deborah Dockery, Ada and Guy H. Rogers, Danny and Cindy Dockery, Mary and Enoch Chamberlain, Martha and the late Sam Smith, and many nieces and nephews.

Rick was a former Pastor of Mineral Bluff House of Prayer where he had attended church since 1996. His love for God was a testimony to all who knew him. A former “life of the party guy”, Rick celebrated Christ with the same intense joy and love and proclaimed it to all openly. His passion was to visit the jails and minister to “old friends” and “new friends” witnessing of the change Christ had made in his life. Unable to continue due to the debilitating process of ALS Rick had to discontinue his visits but he prayed daily for his friends. His legacy to them in his own words is, “Because Christ overcame, I have overcome all things through Him. He enabled me to become a new creation by His Holy Spirit. He never once condemned me nor did He ever once leave me. He stuck with me in everything. He is the same to all. Come on boys, He is with you also and I’ll see you at the Big House.”

In lieu of flowers Rick had requested each individual go to the church of his/her choice and glorify God with him. His family asks we honor his request.

A memorial service will be held at the Mineral Bluff House of Prayer, Saturday, November 5th, at 3:00pm. No food will be served or received. Thank you.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA.You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.