of Bull Shoals, AR
May 21, 1963 - March 26, 2024
Brenda Gay Long, born May 21, 1963, passed away peacefully at her home Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Brenda was born in Boone County, Arkansas to Huey P. and Nora Hampton Long alongside her twin, Linda.
Brenda grew up on the family farm in Marion County. She was a 1981 graduate of Yellville-Summit. After several years of living in Wichita, Kansas Brenda moved back home to be closer to family and was able to care for her mother in her last moments.
In her lifetime Brenda had many difficulties, medically, which she fought daily to overcome, exceeding expectations. Her sister, Jackie, would like honor Brenda for all of the help, love, care and support she gave during her niece, Jessie's life.
Brenda loved life and loved her family, especially her nieces and nephew and her great nieces and great nephews. Her most precious memories was her special bond with her twin sister, Linda and her paternal grandmother, Lydia (Mommo). Brenda was a caring and sweet friend to all. Anyone who knew Brenda knew she was a very generous person with kindness, goodness and love in her heart. She will always be remembered as being herself and for all of her determination.
Brenda is survived by her two sisters, Jackie (Tracy) Wynn and Sandra Long both of Yellville; a brother, Donald Long of Missouri; her three nieces, Andrea (Brandon) Smith, Emily (Stephen) McGee, Olivia (Chris) Coatney all of Yellville and one nephew, Clinton White of Gassville. She is also survived by her great nieces and nephews, Colton Smith, Kennedy Smith, Milo McGee, Sonny McGee, IndyAnna Coatney and soon to be, Rafe Coatney.
Brenda was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents; her parents; her twin sister, Linda and her niece, Jessica.
We believe that through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Brenda is in her eternal heavenly home.
Services to be held by the family at a later date.
Since I've heard the news of my sister's untimely passing, I have cried so many tears. I've tried wiping them away, but they just return. I haven't slept at all, thinking about what was the last thing Brenda thought of before she passed away. I cannot stop crying, nobody understands how much she meant to me. Nobody understands the bond we truly shared or how much I love her. She had always been there for me through good times like going on a road trip (in a car) to Minnesota to see Prince's Paisley Park, (We sing his songs, we cried, we saw his butt print magically appear on his purple couch, and we had our photo taken standing in front of him), going to the Sun Valley Theater to watch a movie (the best movie I watched with her was Walk The Line, the story of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash), the song "Get Rhythm," came on and she said, "I've gotta do, it San-Man, I've gotta dance." You would think, how embarrassing for some lady to get up in a movie theater and dance, right It wasn't because I got up and joined her. Everyone in the theater applaud us. We just laughed. Our parents taught us to dance. We called it "jig dancing" because that's what our parents called it. The bad times she helped me through was when our parents passed away. Out of all other family members, she knew I was going to be left alone to face the challenges ahead. My sister stayed with me, never left my side until she had to move on, and on her own terms. I didn't want her to go, and I'll admit I was hurt and angry when she left, and for a while we didn't speak to each other. Although we had that distance between us, and after all the pain was pushed away, we came back to each other on Thanksgiving Day in November of 2022. Sporadically, we had small visits with one another. The last time I spoke to her she was truly happy and she never forgot to tell me: "I LOVE YOU, SAN-MAN!" (Crying Again)
I will love and miss you forever our little Pedie (pronounced PeeDee). Please do a jig dance with Dad, Mama, and Linda... I will always, always remember you and owe you for saving me.
What a wonderful person God took so soon. Praying for yall.
Thoughts and prayers Jackie Sandy and Lois Don ..Brenda was a sweet loving kind young lady who loved you .keep her in your heart and she will always be there with you rest in peace Brenda.So sorry for your loss.prayers
Jackie Sandy and all the family
I am so sorry to here about Brenda. I have lots of good memories of her and Linda in school. I spend the night with them and them with me when we was kids. I remember Brenda and Linda at my birthday party we had so much fun.
I pray God give all your family peace at this sorrowful and sad time. The class of 1981 will miss her and never forget her.
So sorry to hear about Brenda. Praying for you guys.
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
May God be with Brenda's family. We will miss you, but God has his plans for us and someday we will all join up together. Lots of love to all!!!
So sorry to hear of Brenda’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.