Elbert Augusta “Gus” Long

Elbert Augusta “Gus” Long was born August 6, 1940 in Galveston, Texas to Reuben and Bennie Long. After graduating from Blackshear High School in 1958, he attended Prairie View University, Prairie View, Texas where he would meet his bride, Iowa Oliphant. The couple married June 5, 1962 and moved to Houston, Texas. To this union five children were born. Inspired by his father, who helped build the first bridge in Galveston, Texas, Gus attended the School of Technology in Waco, Texas to further his education in construction and carpentry. Gus worked in the construction industry in Houston

for many years and also worked for Alcoa Inc., in Rockdale, Texas. He enjoyed working with his hands and was always found working on a new project. He was also sought out to work on construction projects for local businesses and individuals in and around Hearne. In later years Gus moved to Dallas, Texas where he joined the St. Paul Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his father, Reuben Long, and mother Bennie Malone Long. His deep, hearty laugh and rich baritone voice is unforgettable and will be profoundly missed by his loved ones and friends. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Iowa Oliphant Long, brother, Reuben Marshall Long , Sr. of Hearne, Texas; sister, Leola Beatrice Henderson of Dallas, Texas; his children, Sheila Long of Laveen, Arizona, Elbert Long, Jr. (wife - Teresa “Tina”) of Grand Prairie, Texas, Benny Long (wife -Corona) of Carrollton, Texas, Cheryl Long of Arlington, Texas and Felecia Long-Russell of Arlington, Texas; two granddaughters Rheonda Long and Don-Neishia Johnson; eight grandsons, Brittony Ray, Quincy Johnson, Rashad Dixon, Elgin Long, Caulin Russell, Kendall Russell, Elijah Long and Benjamin Long; two great-granddaughters Fallon Joyner and Samya Jones; seven great-grandsons, Xane Johnson, Xyon Johnson, Dual “Xacchie” Machar-Wie, Tyler Dixon, Terrence James, Jr., Tyran Dixon, Bryce Ray and a host of nieces and nephews. Services were held Monday, September 7, 2015, 11:00a.m. at New Elam Baptist Church, 509 Brenken Street in Hearne, Texas, 77859.