Obituary of Rollie Vaughn Long

Rollie Vaughn Long “R.V.”, 83, went to his Heavenly home on Monday, February 15, 2021.

He was born on July 31, 1937 at Long Branch, VA, which was the homeplace of his grandparents, Jeff and Mariah Long. He grew up on the farm his parents bought when he was about ten years old. He was the second child of four children and the only son born to the late Rollie D. and Daisy McCoy Long.

After graduating high school in Nora, VA R.V. married his high school sweetheart, Evelene Holbrook on July 7, 1958. R.V. worked in the coal mines for a few years following their marriage prior to moving to Salem, VA in 1961 where he went to work for Home Beneficial Life Insurance. In 1962 he got his call to the Army but he had it switched to the Air Force where he proudly served from 1962 to 1966. His last 13 months were served in Korea. Following the military, he returned to Salem and went to work for General Electric where he worked for more than 36 years. Less than a year after returning to Salem, Evelene gave birth to their first son, David Vaughn Long and three years later another son, Kevin Richard Long was born. They have been the joy of his life ever since. Later in life, R.V. and Evelene divorced and in 1995 he married Linda Bryant.

R.V. loved to socialize and travel anywhere, anytime whether with friends from work or bus tours. None more so than the weeks spent with his sister, Brenda at Myrtle Beach. He was a member of the Roanoke Moose (Young at Heart Group), as well as a member of Hope Bible Church where he enjoyed the senior dinners. He loved his high school classmates and considered them to be family and always enjoyed their reunions every three years and later on an annual basis. For their 50^th class reunion they went on a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean which he loved. He enjoyed remodeling and repairing houses as well as other odd jobs, truly a handyman.

In addition to his wife Linda of 25 years he will be missed and remembered by his sister, Brenda Austin (Carroll); his sons, David V. Long (Gwen) and Kevin R. Long (children’s mom, Kayla); the mother of R.V.’s children, Evelene H. Long; three wonderful granddaughters, Laurel, Ashley and Isabella; special grandson, Easton; step children, Randy Bryant and Tammy Howell (Jody); three step granddaughters, Deanna, Emily O’Quinn (J.J.) and Kristy Clark (Mark); step grandson, Jason Bryant; three step great-grandchildren, Landrie and Daniel Clark and Dawsynn O’Quinn; as well as his furry companion, Pete the Pug.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Glenda Jo and Imogene.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 11 A.M. in the Chapel of Simpson Funeral Home with Pastor Don Eshelman officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 19, 2021 at Simpson Funeral Home from 2 to 4 PM and from 6 to 8 PM.

Due to Covid-19 guests should wear a face mask and practice social distancing.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.simpsonfuneral.com

Simpson Funeral Home is serving the family.