Linda Long, wife of DL Capt. Howard A Long

~ IN MEMORY ~

Linda Long, wife of DL Capt. Howard A. Long

August 2, 1941 ~ June 2, 2018

News has reached us with the passing of Linda Carol Long, wife of retired Delta pilot Captain Howard A. Long.  Captain Long has provided us with all arrangement information... please see below.

To share online condolences please visit the funeral home website at 

 https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/marietta-ga/linda-long-7869509 

For those who wish, personal condolences may be sent to the family at

5150 Hampton Lake Drive, Marietta GA 30068-4316.

            Thank you,

                ~ Carol for the PCN 

Obituary...............LONG, Linda Carol
Linda Carol Hickson Long, of Marietta, Georgia, sixth child of Fenton Paul Hickson and Ethel Adele Rice Hickson, passed away on June 2, 2018. Linda was born on August 2, 1942 in Big Spring, Texas. She attended high school in Big Spring, attended Howard County Junior College in Big Spring, and then attended Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon. She met her husband, Howard Arthur Long, at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring and they were married on December 20, 1964. They eventually settled in the Atlanta area to raise three sons as her husband pursued a career with Delta Air Lines. In the middle of raising her young family, Linda studied Art History at Kennesaw College, making an "A" in every course that she studied. Linda is preceded in death, by both of parents, four of her siblings; Marie Hull, Robert Hickson, Edwin Hickson, and John Hickson; and one son, Roger Christopher Long. She is survived by her husband, Howard Long; two sons, Brian Delos Long, spouse Lara, of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Nathaniel Paul Long, spouse Heather, of Kennesaw, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Ansley, Hayden, Addison, and Ella Long of Fayetteville, and Xander, Gillyan and Kynsie Long of Kennesaw; and one sister, Joanna Hansrote of Garland, Texas. Linda loved her church, her flower garden, her bridge groups, visited numerous art museums and traveled with her husband to all 50 states an over 50 foreign countries. For several years, she was president of her ladies circle at Sandy Springs UMC and later co-president of the Lynn Smith Circle here at Mt. Bethel UMC. She was founder and leader of the local chapter of Red Hats Society for many years. She lived a full life marked by Faith, Family and Love. She leaves a legacy of devotion and time well spent with her beloved grandchildren. The family will receive guests on Thursday, June 7, 2018 between the hours of 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm at H.M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill, in Marietta. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 8, 2018 at 11:00 am at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, in Marietta. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider a donation to Project Mail Call, care of, Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church.

From: Howard Long [mailto:  howard.long@ymail.com  ]
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2018 3:25 PM
Subject: Funeral Arrangements

Dear Family & Friends:

I have just made the arrangement for Linda.  H. M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel will handle the arrangements.  Their address is 1157 Old Canton Road NE, Marietta, GA 30068.

Visitation will be at Patterson & Son, Thursday evening, June 7, 2018 from 6 to 8 pm.  The service will be at 11:00 am at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church,  4385 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30068.  There will be a catered gathering at our home to enjoy Linda’s Garden immediately after the funeral service.  Our address is 5150 Hampton Lake Drive, Marietta, GA 30068.

For those of you that need a hotel, we recommend the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta North at 765 Hammond Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. You can book on the internet or at 404-250-4450 and the room rates should be under $120 per night.  

I you are flying in to Atlanta, I will arrange for pickup at the airport.

Howard

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----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Howard Long howard.long@ymail.com

Sent: Sunday, June 3, 2018, 9:13:55 AM EDT

Subject: My Linda

Dear Friends and Family,

My heart is heavy but my faith is secure that Linda is now with the Lord.  She passed away at 8:11 pm last evening from a massive infection that caused sepsis and heart failure. 

Just this last Tuesday, I took her to the emergency room at Piedmont Hospital for a massive infection on her neck and shoulders coupled with very low blood pressure.  Wednesday morning at about 4 AM, she had septic shock and heart failure.  The medical team was able to reestablish a pulse but they had to sedate her and put her on a respirator and a continuous dialysis machine.  Even with the best medical efforts, the massive infection finally overwhelmed her weakened system.  She never regained consciousness and gradually lost the battle this evening.

As many of you know, she has been fighting a number of illnesses for the past 2 years including Kidney failure, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Eosinophilia, Atrial fibrillation, a leaky Tricuspid Valve in her heart and chronic Ear Infection.  She had been hospitalized on 2 different occasions for Pneumonia, 2 different times for ear infection and ruptured ear drum, treated two times for sepsis and three times for C. Difficile infection of the GI tract.  In addition, she had just found out that she had a cancer in her left thigh.  After that diagnosis she said many times that she did not want any more pain.  She was more than ready to be in a better place.  Tonight The Great Physician granted that wish.  

Funeral arrangements are being made and they will be announced by Monday afternoon.

I want to thank all of you for your love and prayers during this difficult time.  

Howard