Long, Carol “Bett”

Carol “Bett” Long, after a long battle of her life and for life went peacefully to the angels on Wednesday June 8th 2016. Bett was born on April 25, 1954 to Ray and Maxine Lawrence in Roanoke Virginia.

Bett was a wonderful wife, mother, mema and friend. An excellent cook she would find and prepare new recipes, and then she knew how to improve upon them. Bett was also blessed with two “green thumbs” for flower and vegetables. Our home was always green and alive with plants and the pantry always full with her canned vegetables. Bett was a Christian, always doing right, not wrong and knowing good from bad. Bett also took great pride in her appearance and how she looked, not vain, simply pride her class and dignity. Bett also had a love for animals, if she found a stray they soon found a home as one of her own and Bett would have been fine if she had an animal named for all the characters from Lonsome Dove which was her favorite movie.

Bett was preceded in death by her father Ray Lawrence, brother Bruce Lawrence and father in law ‘Doc’ Long. Those left to grieve are husband Geary, daughter Mary and Richard Shaver of Christiansburg, son Jonathan ‘Bear’ and Jennifer of Floyd, mother in law Essie Long of Salem, special aunt Tressie and James Thornton of Floyd, sisters Tonya and Darrel Hodges of Wirtz, Lorna and Doug Martin of Salem, brother in law Tim Long of Salem, sister in law Nancy Lawrence of Roanoke and many other family members.

A very heartfelt thanks to the entire staff of Good Samaritan Hospice, both the NRV and Roanoke offices. An extra thanks to Brenda Hawkes and Todd Tripplett. But a most special thanks to Betts “angels”, Katie Gaylor and Ashley McPherson. The care they showed Bett, the respect and dignity and compassion that Bett received was a pleasure to witness.

The family will receive friends Friday June 10, 2016 at Gardner Funeral Home in Floyd from 5 PM to 7 PM with a memorial service following at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, regardless of how much Bett loved them a donation to Good Samaritan Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association or any animal shelter would have meant more to her.

Bett, Momma, Mom, Me-Ma, you will be missed but never forgotten. You are loved.

Online condolences may be made at www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com.