Patsy Anne Long

Captain Patsy Anne Long, Ret., USAF, R.N., passed away peacefully and without discomfort in the quietness of her home on January 5, 2018. Patsy was born on January 15, 1936, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Elton and Raymelle Garner Long. She is survived by her brother, James E. Long, Sr. Ret. USA, of D'iberville, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Helen Drennan Newman and Carolyn Sue Myers. She has five nephews, James E. Long, Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colo., David B. Drennan of Searcy, Ark., Matthew L. And and Mark E. Myers of North Richland Hills, Texas, and Steven E. Long of Hot Springs, Ark. Her nieces include Lisa A. Gottsch of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jewelyn D. Sims of Sanibel, Fla., Mitzie R. Toland of Pearcy, Ark., and Patricia L. Hackney of Eureka, Calif. Patsy attended Mabelvale High School and graduated from Central High School, in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. She continued her education at the Arkansas Baptist Nursing Program, and completed her nursing education there as President of the Student Body, and star basketball player. While in the Air Force, she attended Florida State University, for advanced training in nursing. Patsy's employment began at Harris Hospital, in Forth Worth, Texas, where she was an operating room nurse. She was later employed by the Veterans Administration in Little Rock, Arkansas. She joined the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Captain, stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, during the Cuban Crisis, serving as Chief, Operating Room Nurse. Finally, she was employed at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, where she worked as an operating room nurse, until illness forced her retirement. Since 1972, Patsy has been retired affected by the illness of Multiple Sclerosis, and was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017. Patsy was known as a very cheerful, devout, and loving nurse, who gave her best care to the patients she was assigned to. She was totally devoted to health care of her patients. She was held in the highest esteem by the patients she served. Patsy enjoyed sewing, painting, fishing, and traveling when she was physically able to. She was a member of First Baptist Church, in Gainesville, and Jennie B. Hopkins Chapter, OES, Little Rock, Arkansas. The family wishes to express the deepest and loving gratitude to Dr. George Feussner and staff, who treated her for multiple sclerosis for an extended period of time. The family requests no flowers and any memorials be given to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or Cancer Research Foundation. Patsy will be transported to Little Rock, Arkansas, where she will be buried in Pinecrest Cemetery. Locally, arrangements are by Forest Meadows Funeral Home.