Rufus ""Tommy"" Thomas Long

Gaston—Rufus “Tommy” Thomas Long, 79, of Gaston died May 26, 2018. Born in Pelion, SC, he was a son of the late Columbus Talmadge and Gladys Burkett Long. Tommy was a graduate of Pelion High School. After proudly serving his country in the US Army, he returned home to his family in Pelion. Tommy then became the plant manager at Pelion Manufacturing Plant, and he also enjoyed his time working at Shumpert’s IGA in Pelion for numerous years. Of his many hobbies, all that knew him would tell you by far his favorite was his gardening. He loved his flowers, and often won many blue ribbons for them at the State Fair. He is survived by his sister, Betty Joyce Hall of Steadman; his brother-in-law, Carlisle Laird of West Columbia; sisters-in-law, Joyce Long of Rock Hill and Eunice Long of Gaston, a large and loving extended family, and numerous friends he considered family. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, “Buddy” Long and “Johnny” Long; his sisters, Laverne Laird of Columbia, Juanita Whitaker; sister and brother-in-law, Lindy and Richard Sanders; brothers-in-law, George Whitaker and Dan Hall. The family will greet friends at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Rd, Lexington on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Graveside services with US Army honors will be held at Southland Memorial Gardens in West Columbia at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215, or to the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel Street, Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458.