Deaconess Carrie Lee Long

On August 1, 1930 Carrie Lee Parker was born in Lawrence, Mississippi to Eddie Lee Sr., and Carrie Alice. Carrie was the oldest of ten children. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Herbert Parker, two sisters: Dorothy Parker and Bernice Harris, and her biological son, Michael Long. Her daughter-in-love Ava Long, and son-in-love Elder Paul Stewart also preceded her in death.

On June 9, 1950, shortly after being blessed with her eldest child JoAnn, she joined in holy matrimony to the late Charles Edwin Long. To this union three additional children were born: Michael Edwin, Debra Lavern and T’Shanna Evette. Although she only birthed four children, Carrie nurtured, loved, mothered, and adopted many more over the years.

Carrie was a child care provider extraordinaire. Raising many generations of children from her family, the church, and the community. She was known for teachings of respect, self-control, and discipline. A woman of many talents, she was an exquisite cook and excellent baker. Carrie rarely used a recipe. She gauged her culinary delights by sight and taste. For over 35 years she baked her signature velvety sweet potato and scrumptious apple pies for Mad Jack’s Fish in Kansas City, Kansas. Lines often formed at the establishment as they awaited Ms. Carrie’s pies to arrive.

God was Carrie’s #1 man. In her early twenties when she got saved, she never turned back. Carrie was determined to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and would share it every chance she had. In 1987 being appointed to Deaconess was one of her proudest moments. Serving in ministry was an honor. Deaconess Long was known as a prayer warrior, a vibrant praiser, and a stellar fund raiser.

Generations were blessed by this great woman. Known as Ma, Granny, Grandma Long, Momma C, Aunt Carrie, or Cousin Carrie. Whomever she was to you, you always knew she loved you hard and unconditionally. She prayed for you, and you could depend on her for anything. She will be missed deeply by her family, community, and church families.

Left to carry the legacy of Carrie Lee Long, are three daughters, Joann Stewart, Humble, TX, Debra Long-Vaughn (Vernon), Kansas City, KS, T’Shanna Long-Young (Roy), Kansas City, MO, an adopted son, Junior S. Ricketts (Mary), Kansas City, KS. Eight grandchildren: Audresha Wilson (Ken), Blue Springs, MO, Nicole Wiley (Houston, TX), Deneen Goldsmith (Stephen), Humble, TX, Monica Long, Richmond Virginia, Patrick Long (Christian) Roanoke, VA, Dionne Vaughn, Kansas City, MO, Vernon N. Vaughn, I, Wichita, KS, and Anele Rose Hopkins, Kansas City, MO. Two brothers, Johnie Parker Sr., Kansas City, KS, Eddie Parker Jr., Littleton, CO, four sisters: W. Grace Walker, Kansas City, MO, Arnetta Starnes (Fred), Aurora, CO, Laura Jetkins, Torrance, CA, and Valesta Clark (Adrian), Denver, CO. A special God-daughter, Carlotte Lindsey (Arlie), Kansas City, KS and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, adopted children, and church families.

“Ha Ya” was her favorite praise meaning eternal life. Ms. Carrie Long, well done, you have earned your reward! Ha Ya was granted on April 9, 2019.

A woman of praise, prayer, and unshakable faith.