Dr. Jo Ann Long

Dr. Jo Ann Long, age 95, of Temple Terrace, Florida passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022. She was born April 5, 1927, in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Anna Roberta (nee Alderson) and Fred Carlton Long.

Dr. Long had many passions in life, the greatest being her love of teaching. She received her bachelor's degree in Education from Florida State University in 1948, her Master's Degree from the University of Houston in 1952, and her Doctorate Degree from the University of South Florida in 1969. Dr. Long taught in the classroom for sixteen years in Clearwater, Florida where she was a Kindergarten Supervisor for a number of years. After leaving the classroom Dr. Long became a general faculty member in Early Childhood Education for twenty years at the University of South Florida. She was the Early Childhood Education Chairman in Reading and Language at the University of South Florida for two years prior to her retirement in 1989.

In addition to her passion for teaching Dr. Long also enjoyed reading, sharing her love of books with her nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed the arts, especially engaging in Zentagle classes with her friends. She loved the beach and spent time every summer with her family in St. Augustine Beach. Dr. Long was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority since 1945 and was an active member of the Alumni Group. She was also a member of Alpha Delta Kappa. She was a member of Friends of the Library at Temple Terrace Public Library for over two decades and volunteered at the Book Nook for most of those years.

Dr. Long had an amazing imagination, a positive and uplifting personality and brought happiness to those around her. She will be remembered for her kind heart, her generosity, her fun loving nature, bright spirit, and never ending smile.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, John Albert Long; sister, Edith Long Welch; and nieces, Edith Welch Ussery and Karen Long. Survivors include her nieces and nephews, Carolyn Welch Forbes (Scott), Jeff Welch (Debbie), Greg Long (Rita), Jan Long Powell (John) and Dave Long (Leslie);and many, loving great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 9-11 am, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11 am, on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Blount and Curry, Terrace Oaks Chapel. Interment will follow the service at 2 pm, at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jo Ann's memory to the Edith (Welch) Ussery Music Fund OR to the Friends of the Library/Temple Terrace Public Library.