Lorraine Moore Long

COLUMBIA - Lorraine Moore Long, the Matriarch of Long’s Drugs, passed away September 2, 2018 at her home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at the funeral home.

Lorraine was born February 16, 1934 to the late Dorwin Franklin Moore and Grace Anna Bobzien Moore in Syracuse, NY. She was the apple of her father’s eye as the only girl among five siblings. Lorraine graduated Newfane NY high school and attended Worcester College, Worcester, MA majoring in accounting.

While visiting Columbia, SC with a friend in 1953 she met her devoted Eugene Peeples Long and never returned north. Lorraine and Gene married in 1954 and shared a remarkable 64 years of marriage together. Their amazing love and devotion to each other expanded to their four loving boys, and later to their boys’ families. Their adoration for each other is a precious gift that many had the joy to experience. Their relationship was the epitome of “unite and become one” and they will be eternal soulmates.

Lorraine was the consummate wife, mother and business partner. She was an indispensable partner in the founding of Long’s Drugs of the Midlands. In the early years she managed raising four boys, keeping an impeccable home and clerking at the original Long’s Cornell Arms Drugstore, across from the USC campus. Eugene and Lorraine had many fond memories of the USC Horseshoe where they spent much of their free time before children. In her early years at Long’s Cornell Arms she was known as “Mother Long” to thousands of customers, friends and USC students, who over the years followed Long’s through the city and across the state. Lorraine continued her career with Long’s Drugs and remained in charge of the accounting through the acquisition of the 20th store in 2011. After Lorraine’s retirement it took a staff of three to replace her.

Lorraine became a wonderful “southern” cook after transplanting to the south, which she enjoyed doing together with her husband, Gene. She enjoyed the beach, loved to knit, fired up many pieces of pottery and finally found her ativan in cross stitching, winning several blue ribbons in the SC State Fair.

She is survived by her husband; her sons, Kenneth M. Long (Cyndi) of Irmo SC, Michael P. Long of Greenville, SC, and Marvin R. Long of Chapin, SC. Also survived by granddaughters, Ashley Long Ellis (Ben) of Charlotte, NC, Rebecca Long Gillespie (Grant) of Columbia, SC, Lauren Elaine Long of Columbia, SC, Cross Coleman Dietrich (Ethan) of Cornelius, NC and Marygrace Ralee Long of Chapin, SC. Grandsons, Christopher Eugene Long (Melissa) of Greenville, GYSGT Brian Delacy Long (Becka) of the United States Marines, Daniel Wesley Long of Columbia, SC, James Gillis Coleman of Irmo, SC and Brayden Wilson Long of Chapin, SC. Also 11 great-grandchildren, a Special sister-in-law, Elaine Long Ling of Moncks Corner, SC and daughter-in-law, Donna Henderson Long Andrews (Coley) of Lexington, SC, one brother, John Christian Moore of Kingstree, SC and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her eldest son, Eugene P. Long, Jr, and brothers, Robert Dorwin Moore, Lawrence Karl Moore (her twin), and Donald Moore.

Her last year was made more comfortable at home with the support of Phyllis Brown, of Daybreak Adult Care Services. Gene and the entire family are grateful for her gentle, compassionate commitment.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of one’s choice.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.