She was a patient at Signature Health Care. She attended Center Point Baptist Church, Charleston, and attended as often as she could.
She spent most of her life in Bradley County. She loved music, especially guitar, and grew up in a family of singers and musicians.
She was preceded in death by Rue Long, her first husband and father of her nine children; and second husband of 26 years, James Carden; sons: Joe Long and Bobby Long; grandson, Barry Samples; great-grandchildren: Casey Long, Carmen Long and Jennifer Teasley; daughter-in-law, Shirley Long; sister, Beulah Lynn; and brothers: Munk McKee, Joe McKee, Jim McKee, Ray McKee and Bill McKee.
Survivors include her daughters: Lorene (Belle) Samples and husband, Jerry, of Charleston, and Deane Lee and husband, Ron, of Cleveland; sons: Don Long and wife, Gayle, Benny Long and wife, Nancy, Jerry Long and wife, Eilene, and Ronnie Long, all of Cleveland, and Larry Long of Calhoun; 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who were all special to her.
The funeral will be conducted at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2011, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Johnny Underwood officiating.
Interment will follow in Charleston at Center Point Baptist Church Cemetery with her grandsons: Delwyne Long, Mike Long, Johnny Long, Chris Samples, Jeff Lee and Mitchell Long serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles McKee, Robert Long, Randall Millard and Jamison Dottore. Her grandson Sam Long with the BCSD will lead the procession.
A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.
The family will receive friends from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home prior to the service.
You are invited to send a message of condolence and view the Carden family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.
