Eddie Jenetta Vaughn Long

Mrs.Eddie Jenetta Vaughn Long age 93 of Charlotte,NC. passed November  7,2015 at her residence. Celebration of her life will be held Thursday November 12,2015 at Gethsemane AME Zion Church 531 Campus St.Charlotte,N.C 28216. Visitation will begin at 10:00am and the service will follow at 11:00am. Interment will at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens

On July 17, 1922, Thomas W. Vaughn, Sr. and Etta Johnson Vaughn became the proud parents of a beautiful daughter whom they affectionately named Eddie Jenetta Vaughn.

She passed away on  November 7, 2015 at the age of  93 surrounded by her loving and supportive family.

Eddie was a lifelong resident of Charlotte, North Carolina.  At an early age, she joined Mowing Glade A.M.E. Zion Church which was the Vaughn’s Family church.  At Mowing Glade, she was active in various organizations beginning with the Buds of Promise, Christian Endeavor Society, Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent.  She served many years as a Sunday School Convention Delegate.  She was the first female to serve on the Steward Board at Mowing Glade A.M.E. Zion Church.

Having been an excellent speaker, she was guest speaker at many churches and organizations throughout Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Beginning public school, Eddie attended Clear Creek School which is now J.H. Gunn from first grade through 11th grade, graduating in 1942(12th grade had not been added).

After graduating from Clear Creek High School, she entered Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina.  In Salisbury, she became an active member at Moore’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. After matriculating at Livingstone College for 3 years, she transferred to Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC due to illness and to be near her parents.  At Johnson C. Smith University, she was inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.  She graduated from Johnson C. Smith University in 1946, majoring in Elementary Education.

Possessing a degree in education, she began her teaching career at Edwards Grove Elementary School in Cleveland County, North Carolina.  After two years at Edwards Grove Elementary School, she transferred to Mecklenburg County Schools where she was assigned to Paw Creek-Hoskins and  Woodland Elementary School in the Paw Creek Community.  She proudly taught 1st Grade at Woodland Elementary School for 16 years.  Leaving Woodland Elementary School, she was assigned to J. H. Gunn. The first year of school integration in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, she was assigned to Bain Elementary School, Mint Hill, NC where she retired after two years.

In 1947, she was united in marriage to Lem Long, Jr.  In 1951, they became the parents of  Lem Long, III, whom they affectionately called “Little Lem.” After marriage, Eddie joined Rock Hill A.M.E. Zion Church, Mint Hill, NC where she served faithfully.  Later, Eddie became a member of Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church, Charlotte, NC.  At Gethsemane she served as a missionary, deaconess, and a class leader.

Having an entrepreneurial spirit and desire, the Longs ventured out and opened Long’s Mortuary.  After their son Lem Long, III  graduated from Cincinnati School of Mortuary and became licensed, the firm was named Long & Son Mortuary Service.  In 2007, Mr. and Mrs. Long were honored for their longevity in the funeral business by the Funeral Directors and Morticians Association of North Carolina, Inc.

Eddie was fortunate to have lived a long, happy, and wonderful life.  She enjoyed travelling, SHOPPING, dining out, and talking on the phone. She was always surrounded by her nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and grand children who affectionately called her “Mudda.”

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Lem Long, III; five brothers, Thomas W. Vaughn, Jr., Milas Vaughn, Creswell C. Vaughn, Charles C. Vaughn, and Lemuel C. Vaughn; two sisters, Willie Caldwell and Othelia McGill.

She leaves to cherish fond and loving memories her husband of 68 years Lem Long, Jr.; nieces, Addie Vaughn McNeil who was reared in the home as a daughter, Rosetta Clemons, Eleanor Vaughn, Linda Izzard, Myrtle Polk, Brenda Sanders(Charles), Peggye Johnson, Deloris Cureton(Robert), Grace White, Cora Forest, and Martha Williams; a loving grandson, Palmer L. DuPree, Sr.(Michelle); granddaughter, Erin McNeil Young; nephews Charles Vaughn, Jr.(Bertha), Thomas W. Vaughn, Rev. William Smith(Rachel), Raeford Johnson(Claudette), and Donald Johnson(Sheila). Five great-grandchildren, Amber DuPree, Palmer L. DuPree, Jr., Chase Young, Christian Young, and Ava King; two sisters-in-law, Dora Johnson and Mildred Long; goddaughters, Evelena Thompson and Barbara Shaw; a very loving caregiver and trusted friend Allie Fluker, and a host of other relatives and friends will forever cherish the memory of Mrs. Eddie  Jenetta Vaughn Long.