Anna Long

Tupelo - Anna Frances Long, 92, died Tuesday, December 16, 2008, at her residence after an extended illness. She was born July 9, 1916 to Claude and Clara Tanner Mears and was the widow of Earl V. Long whom she married August 9, 1941. Raised in East Tupelo, she lived in many different areas of the country while her husband served in the Air Force. Earlier in her life she worked as a telephone switchboard operator. She was a member of East Heights Baptist Church where she served as the Sunday School Secretary for many years.

Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at East Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Michael Bowers and Rev. Jason Marlin officiating. Burial will be in Priceville Cemetery. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Anna Long Humber and husband, Nick; her granddaughter, Christina Humber Brown, and husband, Tim; three grandchildren, Gavin, Ainsley, and Weston Brown, all of Tupelo; one sister, Laverne Peach of Saltillo; two brothers, Bill Mears and wife, Helen, of Saltillo, and Paul Mears and wife, Ella, of Tuscon, Ariz.; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Long of Amory, Charlotte Long of Tupelo; one brother-in-law, Fred Wiygul of Tupelo; and her caregivers Pat Ferguson and Freddie Pierce.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; two sisters, Helen Bean and Margaret Branyan; a brother, Charles Mears; two sisters-in-law, Betty Sue Wiygul and Pauline Long; three brothers-in-law, Carl V. Long, Guy Long, and Paul Long.

Pallbearers will be Danny Mears, David Mears, Tony Mears, Neal Peach, Jimmy Peach, Larry Humber, and Andrew Humber.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Guy Long, Bill Long and Phillip Long.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service time at the church.

Memorials may be made to East Heights Baptist Church, 205 Lake Street, Tupelo MS 38804.