Joy Elwood Long Jr.

Joy joined the US Army's 101st Airborne Division as a Paratrooper, was stationed in Korean, and his unit was affectionately known as the "Screaming Eagles." Joy served as the Commander of the Mint Hill VFW. He was a Signal and Communications Supervisor for Norfolk-Southern Railroad for more than 30 years. Joy discovered a love of square dancing which he and Claudia enjoyed together for many years. After retiring, he took up golf and became an avid player. Joy also bought a motorcycle and loved to ride it on trips to the mountains.

Joy is survived by his wife of 22 years, Claudia Cloer Long, and first wife, Jeannette Ruark; as well as his two children, Jonathan Long and Jeanna Long; and step-daughter, Cynthia Whisnant; sisters, Frankie Dalton of Lynchburg, Virginia, Allene Pack of Rustburg, Virginia, and Sarah Shaeff of Forest, Virginia; brother, Dana Parks of Orange, Virginia; and four grandchildren, Marcus Long, Alexandra Long, Raven Whisnant, and Rex Whisnant. Joy was preceded in death by a daughter, Joelle Long, and brother, Chauncey Parks of Knoxville, Tennessee.

A Celebration of His Life will be held at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church at 11501 Bain School Road, Mint Hill, North Carolina 28227, at 12 noon on Saturday, April 22, 2017. There will be a visitation preceding the service at the church starting at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Philadelphia Presbyterian Church where Joy served as a deacon.

Arrangements are in the care of McEwen Funeral Service, Mint Hill Chapel.