Doris Ann “Dotti” Long, born Oct. 8, 1945, in Roanoke, Ala., the first of six children to Bill and Paula McMurray, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, surrounded by her family at home in Fairhope after an 11-year battle with cancer.
As a big sister, she had a parental influence on her sisters and brothers through many moves as an Air Force family. She fell in love hen she was 18 and married in Louisiana. She raised a family and built countless friendships in Pensacola, Fla., Charlotte, N.C., Savannah, Ga., Charleston, S.C., Gulf Breeze, Fla., and Fairhope.
She loved her Lord and her family and selflessly served the loves of her life to the end, leaving us all thankful to have been part of her life.
Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Calvin Long; four children, Teresa (Coby) Bland of Colorado Springs, Colo., Amy (Paul) Rhyne of Columbia, S.C., Buddy (Heather) Long of Greenville, S.C., and Joseph (Amanda) Long of Fairhope; sisters, Paula (Earl) Malone of Montrose, Jane (Tom) McMillian of Brewton, Susan (Jeff) Combs of Fairhope; brothers, Bill (Dawn) McMurray of Fairhope and Jon (Pam) McMurray of Fairhope; 13 grandchildren, Zachary, Caroline, Jacob and Scott Bland; Calvin, Wilson, Anna Claire, Lauren and Bobby Long; Paul, Sarah, Elizabeth and Emma Grace Rhyne; and Abby Kate Long; and her mother, Paula McMurray of Fairhope.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The Heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet…
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at Montrose Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Grace Fellowship Church, 20755 Lacey Road, Silverhill, AL 36576 or Covenant Hospice, 1040 Stanton Road, Suite D, Daphne, AL 36528.
