Walter "Mitchell" Long

Mr. Long graduated from Hamlet High School and attended Wingate Junior College before joining the U.S. Army. He was a proud soldier who served his country for 21 years, retiring at the rank of Major. Mr. Long completed one tour in Korea and two combat tours in Vietnam, flying reconnaissance missions for the Special Forces in a Cessna Bird Dog during the first tour and piloting Huey Cobra gunship helicopters during the second. These were two of the most dangerous jobs in the Vietnam War.

While serving in the military and raising his family, Mr. Long also worked diligently to complete his college education, taking courses wherever he was stationed and ultimately graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a degree in business. After retiring from the military, he worked for Mecklenburg County for over 25 years as the business manager for the Willie M. program and the Youth and Family Services division of the Department of Social Services. While he enjoyed his time with Mecklenburg County, he was always a soldier at heart.

Mr. Long met his wife, Mary Alice McEachern Long, in Life Science class at Hamlet High School in 1954 when she was 14 and he was 16. They married in 1958 and lived a life of love and adventure for the next 65 ½ years, moving 17 times with the military and visiting all 50 states multiple times. They raised three children and were blessed with seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Long loved to serve. For years, he volunteered at the Veterans Administration clinic in Charlotte every Thursday morning, greeting fellow soldiers and trading war stories. An active member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, he served there in many capacities as well. He often volunteered with his Sunday School class at the Charlotte Rescue Mission, serving meals to those recovering from addiction. Every Christmas, he would volunteer with that same Sunday School class at the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse in Charlotte. But his most beloved ministry was working as part of the Hearts and Hammers team, providing construction and other home repair services to those in need in the community.

Mr. Long also loved fishing, coffee, chocolate, and working in his yard, especially tending to his numerous fruit trees. He was a voracious reader, history buff, master Trivial Pursuit player, and ruthless card shark. He was a man of great wisdom and intellect and possessed a tremendous sense of humor.

Mitchell, above all else, loved his family, especially his wife, Mary Alice. He was predeceased by his parents, Jesse and Margaret; his brother, Jesse; his sister, Frances; and eldest daughter, Mary Margaret. He leaves behind his wife, Mary Alice; his son, Walter Mitchell Long, Jr.; his daughter, Catherine Stout and son-in-law, Steve; his granddaughters, Christi Allen (Richard), Stephanie Long, and Shannon Long; his grandsons, Courtland Stout, Shane Stout (Jessica), Adam Lovelace, and John McLamb (Jennifer); his great-granddaughters, Arden and Catie; his great-grandson, Mitchell; his brother, Jerry (Alice); his sister, Nancy (Wayne); and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Long was a man of faith, courage, honor, dignity, strength and humility. There are no words to describe how much he will be missed.

The family will receive visitors at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, on Tuesday, October 24 from 7:00 until 9:00 pm. A funeral service will be held in the Chapel at Hickory Grove Baptist Church Harris Campus on Wednesday, October 25 at 11:00 am, with Dr. John Harrill and Rev. Arnold Kessler officiating. A committal service with full military honors will follow at Mary Love Cemetery in Hamlet, North Carolina at 3:00 pm.

Memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Hearts and Hammers Ministry, 7200 East W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28215.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.