Bobbie Long

Bartley "Bobbie" Dowell Long, 92, of Statesville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at Autumn Care of Statesville. Born on January 1, 1923 she was the daughter of the late Edward William Dowell and Gelania Moore Dowell. On November 2, 1942, Bobbie married Bill I. Long, who preceded her in death in 1988. She was also preceded in death by her son Bill I. Long, Jr. in 2011, by sisters Augusta Smith, Elma Dowell, Mary Dowell, and brothers Reuben Dowell, Clayton Dowell, and Ralph Dowell. Bobbie was a graduate of Union Grove High School and attended Mitchell College. She was a dental assistant for Dr. J. H. Nicholson for many years and later worked for NCNB until her retirement. She was devoted to the care of her sister, Mary, for over 25 years, volunteered as a Pink Lady at Iredell Memorial Hospital, and loved the game of bridge. She was a wonderful cook and no one could make "cheese krispies" like Bobbie. She was kind, generous, thoughtful, humble, and always a lady. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church where she belonged to the Applewhite Circle and the Esther Bible Class, taught Sunday school, helped on the caring committee, and volunteered at the reception desk. Those who are left to cherish her memory are daughters, Gayle Kummer and Beth Webb (Jimmy), of Statesville; daughter-in-law, Sherry Long of Winston-Salem; two grandsons, Tommy Redding, Jr. of Arvada, CO., and Michael Redding of Port Orange, FL; and three granddaughters, Jessica Long of Winston-Salem, Katherine Webb of New York, NY and Susan Webb of Greenville, NC. She is survived by her brother, Bruce Dowell (Anne) of Winston-Salem, sisters-in-law, Jeannette Mayes, Ruby Long, and Lucy Long, and brother-in-law, Ned Long (Pat) in addition to a number of special nieces and nephews. The family will visit with friends on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at Nicholson Funeral Home from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Monday, February 2, 2015 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Jack Causey officiating. A private family graveside service will be held earlier in the day at Oakwood Cemetery. For those who wish to honor Bobbie, the family requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 815 Davie Avenue, Statesville, NC 28677 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. The family thanks Dr. James Foushee and Dr. Ahmed Elnaggar and their staffs in addition to the special nurses, CNA's, and employees of Autumn Care, the 3 floor nurses and CNA's of Iredell Memorial Hospital, and Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County for their kindness and care. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.