Carolyn Long

On August 5, 2024 the world lost a brilliant light when Carolyn Bowen Long (89) was released from her earthly life and flew with the other angels into heaven. Carolyn was born at 3:30 in the morning on November 3, 1934 in Elijay, Georgia. She spent the majority of her childhood in Dahlonega, GA and graduated as valedictorian of her class from Lumpkin County High at the age of 15. She attended North Georgia College for 2 years before transferring to the University of Geogia in Athens, where she graduated (Phi Betta Kappa) receiving a B.A. with a double major at the age of 19. In August of 1954, she married Donald Long and remained married for 63 years until his death in February 2018. Shortly after their marriage, she and Don moved to Norfolk, VA, where she lived for 66 years until she moved to Monterey California at the young age of 86. Carolyn worked as a librarian the entirety of her career, first with the Norfolk City Schools and then with Virgina Beach City Schools. After working on her master’s degree during summers for more than a decade, Carolyn received her Master’s in Library Science from Old Dominion University in 1978.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, Don Long and her parents, Myrtle M. and Guy Price Bowen. She is survived by her son, Mark Long and his wife, Katie, of Saratoga Springs, NY; her son, Tim Long and his wife Laurie of Chevy Chase, MD and her daughter Cathey Edwards of Monterey, CA. Her beloved grandchildren include Benjamin (Heidi) of Gulfport, MS, Jessica of Washinton DC, Rebecca of Brooklyn NY, Sarah Edwards (Aziz Nahas) of Marrakech, Morocco and Joshua (Nicki Sherman) of Oakland, CA. She adored, and was adored by, her great grandchildren, Islie and Molly Long of Gulfport, MS; Alma Jane Nahas Edwards of Marrakech and Maizy Edwards of Oakland, CA.

Through the years, Carolyn cared for everyone…her kids, her parents, her aunt and uncle (and their son after their deaths), her sister-in-law, her husband and several sweet kitties. She was a brilliant, kind, beautiful soul and throughout many difficult days and medical struggles in her later years, she always remained her...strong, smart, funny and gracious. She was the supreme Southern lady and everyone who met her fell in love with her. She was surrounded by love and knew she was adored. Her kitty, Sweetie was by her side when she died and she was comforted to know that Sweetie will have a forever home with her granddaughter, Jessica.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Community Hospital, especially Remy, and her many caregivers at the Park Lane who cared for her with such dignity and respect, including Carrissa, Vanessa, Miquel, Maria, Gladys and Max. She had a long well-lived life and she was well-loved. We are heartbroken to lose her but grateful for all the years we had her in our lives, and grateful that she is no longer suffering. Rest in comfort and peace.

If you would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Carolyn, she was a strong supporter of the World Central Kitchen https://donate.wck.org, the Monterey Public Library Friends & Foundation www.investinmpl.org and Gathering for Women in Monterey https://gatheringforwomen.org/.