Elizabeth Day Long

Elizabeth Day Long, 88, died peacefully at her Bates Street home on Monday, July 16, 2018. She was given the gift of life on November 22, 1929 and now it is time for her to give it back.
This has been hard for her family and friends, but she was a Christian woman. Elizabeth was married to the love of her life, Walter Drayton “W.D.” Long, for 56 years and led a blessed existence. He preceded her in death in 2004. Born at her family home in Leesville to James and Bessie Hall Day, she lived in the B-L area all her life.

We were blessed to have learned many valuable lessons form Mama during her 88 years. She taught us how to love and worship Jesus, how to work hard, and how to handle the responsibilities in our lives. Mama was an excellent cook and baker and shared her knowledge with her daughters-in-law. She was invaluable when her grandchildren arrived, showing her “daughters” how to care for each precious one. Her love of children led her to open a day care center in her home which she ran for many years.

Elizabeth was a member of East Side Baptist Church where she belonged to the Shining Light Sunday School Class, the Young at Heart senior citizens group and the senior ladies Women on Missions group.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Russell (Anna) Long, Kenneth Long, both of Batesburg, Mike (Wanda) Long of Monetta, James (Joyce) Long of Gilbert, daughter-in-law, Monika Long of Leesville; grandchildren: Chris Long of Greenwood, Travis (Jane) Long of Leesville, and Brandi Long of Batesburg, Elisabeth (Ronnie) Steele, Melanie Long all of Leesville, Samantha (Kenny) Nixon of Jacksonville, N.C., Zack (Leighann) Long of Leesville, Victoria Long of Swansea; eleven great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; sisters, Helen (the late Henley) Jameson of Greenville, Jimmie Lou (Harold) Ricard of Leesville, Shirley (the late Edward) Jones of Batesburg, Ruth (Glenn) Melton of Lexington, Ann (Roderick) Shealy of West Columbia, Joyce (Everette) Taylor of Gilbert, Nancy (Aubry) Arrington of North Augusta, Jonelle (the late Max) Boozer of Batesburg; sister-in-law, Arlene (the late James) Day of Leesville; sisters-in-law, Lorine (the late Richard) Gentry of Saluda, Violet (Morris) Miller of Gilbert; brother-in-law, Edward (Drucilla) Long of Leesville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, W.D.; son, Allen of Leesville; her parents; sister, Lois Ricard of Graniteville; and brothers, Parnell Day of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and James Day of Leesville.

Funeral services will be held at East Side Baptist Church at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 18, 2018 conducted by the Rev. Mitch Bruner and Chaplain J. Reilly Hammond.
Visitation will be held in the East Side Christian Enrichment Center one and a half hours prior to the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Side Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2159, Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070. The family wishes to share their appreciation and gratitude to Elizabeth’s caregivers, Yvonne Staley of Batesburg and MSA Hospice of Aiken. You always made her feel comfortable.