Royce Edward Long

August 23, 1945 - September 6, 2020

God needed a special angel, so he called for Brother Royce Edward Long on September 6th, 2020. Royce Edward Long was born on August 23rd, 1945 in Greensboro, N.C. to Ralph and Gertrude Long. He has two brothers and one sister. He attended Drury High School in Massachusetts where he graduated. After graduating from High School, Royce joined the Navy serving a total of nine years. Royce then moved to New York where he worked as a postman and later got a job at Brookhaven Lab on Long Island, N.Y. He attended Suffolk County Community College where he received two Associate degrees in Mathematics. Royce met Earline Jones in 1975 in Patchogue, N.Y. They became good friends and later married on September 18th, 1976. They became proud parents of Derrick M. Long, Dallas M. Long and Errika D. Bobbitt nee Long. Royce later became a radiation protection specialist and contractor for nuclear power plants. He moved his family to Oceanside, California, Charlotte, N.C., and then obtained a permanent position in Illinois at the Clinton Power Station. During the time in Illinois, Royce and family resided in Wapella, then in Decatur. He worked at the Clinton Power Station until he retired in 2012. He joined the Living Church of God and was baptized by Pastor Irve Woelfle in Morton, IL. He later attended the Living Church of God in Springfield, IL where he remained a member for quite some time under the leadership of Dr. Richard Franz. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Gertrude Long and one sister, Joyce Brasswell. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Earline J. Long, two sons, Derrick M. (Trina) Long of Charlotte, N.C. and Dallas M. Long of Illinois and one daughter, Errika (Stephon) Bobbitt of Decatur, IL. Two brothers, Ralph (Lillie) Long of Florida, George (Louise) Long of Philadelphia and one sister, Agnes (Samuel) Jones of Florida. 10 grandchildren, Zayna, Derrick Jr. and Zahnia of Charlotte, N.C. and Kirra, Sharrif, Essence, Stephon Jr., Xzavier, Armonie and Romiah of Decatur, Illinois and 2 great grandchildren on the way out of N.C. A brother in law, Amos Faltz. Nieces and nephews including Maria (Nate), Cedric, Leroy, Chris (Maria), Greer, Ophelia Michelle, Corey, Tasha, Kezia, Michelle, Tanya, Theresa, Ashley, Piretta (Arthur), Rasha, Tiffany, Amber (Sean), Jabaree, Cedric Jr., and Tiffany. He also leaves behind a multitude of other beloved people of whom he played a special role in their lives that they may not have had otherwise. The family of Royce Edward Long wishes to express their appreciation for your kindness, phone calls, prayers, visits, and most of all your presence. A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Decatur Memorial Hospital who cared so well for him and a special thank you to Pastor Robert (Shelia) Bell, Pastor Mack L. (Lillian) McCrae, and Nate and Maria Pearson for their much-needed help towards Royce's end of life. Visitation to celebrate Royce’s life will be held on Thursday (September 10, 2020) from 5:00-7:00 PM at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St., Decatur, IL. Additional homegoing services will be held at McEwen Funeral Home in Pineville, NC with burial in Sharon Memorial Park Cemetery in Charlotte, NC. The family has entrusted Moran & Goebel Funeral Home with Royce’s funeral arrangements. Please view his obituary and share memories and condolences at www.moranandgoebel.com Thank you and God Bless you. The Family of Royce Edward Long