Sidney Earl Long, 64, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018, surrounded by family at his home on Old Halifax Road just outside Roanoke Rapids.

Earl was a widely-known and well-liked resident of Halifax County. He grew up in Roanoke Rapids and never met a stranger. Trips into town for him would regularly be extended by his running into people he knew, which would lead to his spending time catching up and talking. He loved talking to people and could hold conversations on any subject. Earl frequently kept his family and friends entertained with stories of his childhood growing up in the city, and he was a devoted servant of God who loved to profess his faith and never turned his back on a friend or family member in need. He worked as a parts manager for Acme Oldsmobile in Roanoke Rapids for many years and was enthusiastic about cars. He was a fan of drag racing and frequently journeyed to Virginia to attend races. His Brunswick stew was widely enjoyed and frequently requested.

Earl was a bachelor until relatively late in life, but that changed one fateful day when he met Patricia Baker and the pair built the house on Old Halifax Road together. Following building their home they then built a family, a family that brought Earl great joy for all the days that followed. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, son, brother and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Franklin Long and Gladys Davis Long. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patricia Long of the home; son, Herbert Dunlow (Heather) of Amelia, Virginia; daughters, Katherine Bell (Roger) and Lisa Garris (James) of Roanoke Rapids; sisters, Elaine Clemmons (Gene) and Glenda Forbes (Preston); brother, Wayne Long; his grandchildren, Ian Dunlow, Brandon Raby, Owen Dunlow, Ryan Garris, Riley Garris and Haley Bell; niece, Christina Keeran; nephews, Chris Long, Brian Forbes (Joanne), Steve Forbes, Doug Love (Pam) and Charles Love; great-nephews, Braxton Forbes and Owen Keeran; great-nieces, Briann Forbes, Brooke Forbes and Brittany Love; as well as a host of close friends.

Visitation will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at Askew Funeral and Cremation Services, 731 Roanoke Ave. in Roanoke Rapids, which is handling the arrangements.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11 at Good News Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, with interment to follow in Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.