Elaine Long

Mrs. Elaine Louise Lawlah Long, a life long resident of Gary, West Virginia passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025 in the Westwood Healthcare Center in Bluefield, Virginia. 

She was the youngest of five children born to Eunice Swain Lawlah and Robert Louis Lawlah of Gary, on August 20, 1935.  She received her early childhood education at Gary Elementary School and was a graduate of Gary District High School.  Also, she was a secretary at Gary District High School for five years.  Later she was the secretary at the U. H. Prunty Trade School and the McDowell County Voc-Tech Center. For 33 years she was employed by the McDowell County Board of Education and worked part time for three years.  In 1989, at the age of 53, she took an early retirement.  Elaine completed several enrichment classes offered through Bluefield State College and West Virginia Tech. 

Elaine was a member of Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Gary, where she was baptized under the pastorship of Reverend Frank Smith at the age of 12.  For many years, she served as pianist for the youth, young adult and senior choirs.  Later, she became the Church pianist and was active for over 40 years.  She had held membership and was active in many of the following organizations:  Gary Elementary Volunteers, Gary Citizens in Action, the McDowell County Retired Employees' Association and McDowell County Retired Service Personnel, the McDowell-Mercer Ma-So-Lit Club, the NAACP, and Gary District High School Alumni Association, Gary Chapter the Gary Neighborhood Watch and a Notary for the State of West Virginia.  

Elaine married William C. Long and from this union two daughters, Katrina Louise Long Burke and Tammy Elaine Long were born.  In addition to her parents,  Eunice, Robert and her "Mama," Ruth Swain Lawlah; she was preceded in death by her husband and two daughters; one sister, Lula M. Reeves and three brothers, Dennis M. Lawlah, Percy S. Swain and John W. Lawlah; many nephews, nieces and cousins; two special nieces, Victoria Lawlah Sherman and Mary (Doll) Swain. 

Elaine was the last surviving member of her original family.  She leaves her lifetime of cherished memories to her grandsons, William L. "Coty" Long  of the home and Dennis T. Long of Dunbar, West Virginia; her great-grandsons:  Jordan Ridley, Derick Long, Darius Long and Da'Kari Long and several generations of nephews, nieces and cousins. 

A Homegoing Celebration Service will be held at noon on Friday, May 30, 2025 at Rock Hill Baptist Church in Gary with Reverend George Masterson, eulogist, Evangelist Rhonda Keith and Reverend Kenneth Orr assisting.  Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park 3410 Coal Heritage Road in Bluewell, West Virginia.  Her family and friends will serve as both pallbearers and flower bearers.  Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM until the hour of Service at the Church.  Services for Mrs. Long entrusted to Gregory-Page Funeral Home in Welch. West Virginia..