MARCH 24, 1931 – FEBRUARY 22, 2023
Obituary
Nelda Faye (Pitts) Long, age 91, of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 in Nacogdoches. She was born in in the Harmony Community of Nacogdoches County on March 24, 1931 to parents Dewey Hayden Pitts and Mary Lou (Castleberry) Pitts. She married her late husband, Gaylon Dale Long, on May 4, 1948, in Center, Texas.
Nelda worked at Stephen F. Austin State University as the Biology Department Secretary and in the Counseling and Special Ed Department as Department Secretary. She retired with 25 years of service in June 1994 to be a full time grandmother to her first great-granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Williamson.
Mrs. Long was a member of University Baptist Church for over 50 years. After the months of Covid, she began to attend Westside Baptist Church and attended there until she became sick. She loved her Lord and enjoyed reading and studying the Bible. She would say her greatest achievement in life was being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her family and was devoted to them. She was a Prayer Warrior for each one. Nelda was a woman of faith, love, virtue, and strength and a friend to many. Her daughter referred to her as a Proverb 31 woman. When asked about her strength she would share that strength did not come from within, but from her Heavenly Father who never failed her and loved her unconditionally. Until her death, Mrs. Long was an independent, strong, spunky, and feisty lady.
Nelda enjoyed reading, cross stitch, crocheting, and especially sewing. She was a very talented seamstress, especially in alterations. Even though she was working when her daughter, Judy, married she found time to make her wedding dress, putting many loving stitches in the dress and adding lace and pearl touches. Nelda has also made many stuffed animals for her great granddaughter, Olivia. Nelda was also a very good cook having cooked many chocolate and German chocolate cakes throughout the years. When Gaylon lived those cakes would only last a day. Olivia, her great-granddaughter, has said many times, “There is no one who can make Tuna sandwiches like Grandmom.”
She will be missed, but the lessons she taught by example will be remembered by all who loved her and called her Mom, Grandmom, or friend.
Mrs. Long was preceded in death by her parents; Dewey and Mary Lou Pitts; husband, Gaylon Long; sister, Estelle Sunderland; and brothers, James E. Pitts and Gerald Pitts, sister-in-law, Madge Pitts, and great granddaughter, Hannah Williamson.
She is survived by her daughter, Judith Williamson and husband Howard of Nacogdoches; daughter, Patricia Carol Long of Nacogdoches; grandsons, Greg Williamson and wife Heather of Anchorage, Alaska, Brad Williamson and wife Michelle of Douglass, Texas; great-grandchildren, Kayla Micci and husband Stephen, Josh Williamson, Lauren Williamson, Clayton Williamson, and wife Olivia, Gaylon Luke Williamson, and Olivia Faith Williamson; great-great grandson Benjamin Micci; and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors followed by a funeral service at 3:00 PM officiated by Bro. Jackie Yates and Bro. Dennis True.
Nelda will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches.
Serving as pallbearers will be Brad Williamson, Luke Williamson, Howard Williamson, Darrell Cranford, Harold Ray Pitts, and Coot Brandon.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, University Baptist Church, or Westside Baptist Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.