Obituaries: George Parker Long, 1928, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: September 13, 1928 Winn Parish Enterprise George Parker Long Prominent Citizen Dies George Parker Long Age 79 Years Dies After Lingering Illness George Parker Long, age 79 years, died at the Baptist Sanitarium, Alexandria, Tuesday, September 11, following an operation. Mr. Long had been in ill health several months. The deceased was one of the organizers of the Bank of Winnfield serving as president for a number of years and at the time of his passing was vice- president. He is survived by his widow, six children, four sisters, three brothers, and a host of relatives. Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 o'clock. The Rev. A. H. Cullen, assisted by the Rev. C. C. Wier, had charge of the services. Acting as pallbearers were B. W. Bailey, Mac L. Branch, Max Thieme, R. W. Oglesby, W. T. Norman, and C. McGinty, Sr. Below we print the words spoken by Rev. Cullen at the services, which shows the esteem in which Mr. Long was held: "My dear friends, we come today to mourn the passing of one of our most illustrious citizens. The sad and strange providence of God has brought us together in this season of sorrow and bereavement. "I feel the utter uselessness in this hour of any statement that I may make you. This vast host of sympathizing friends, this beautiful floral offering speaks more eloquently and more kindly than any word of mine. "We have gathered as a community to pay a tribute of deep respect, a tribute of honor, and a tribute of love to him whom you have known these many years. We would bring the cherished memories of the past and place them as a sweet offering of forget-me-nots around the silent form of our dear friend whose life is closed forever. "As we come we pray earnestly that the God of all tender compassion, of all sympathy and heavenly consolation, may uphold and sustain you, the bereaved loved ones, in this hour of deep need. May His word and promise be yours today in reality. The promise "that God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." "On your behalf it is the hardest trial for you to bear. We easily suffer the loss of home, money, or friendship, but the loss of a loving husband, an affectionate father, by death, is the saddest loss of all. May you know today that His marvelous Grace, the grace of our dear Lord, is sufficient for your severest trial. And may this death lead you to lean more heavily upon His arms, to trust Him with infinite faith and to know that His will and way is always best. He is the constant companion, the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. "We believe that our brother, George Parker Long, hath gained to himself the victory and hath obtained the eternal crown. We think of Paul's victorious cry applied to the life of our departed friend. "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith." We therefore honor him as one who trusted in Christ unto eternal life. "A number of years how he has been a faithful member of the First Baptist Church, living loyal to Jesus and contributing willingly to the cause of the Royal Master. "We would honor him as a tender affectionate husband and living father. He was united in marriage to Miss Virginia Garner of Calvin. To this happy union 8 children were given, Mrs. Zelma Frazer of Winnfield, Mrs. Aubrey Corbett and Mrs. Aubrey Scott of Gilbert, La., George P., Jr., Miss Elizabeth and Charles of Winnfield; also Mrs. Sam LaCroix who preceded her father in death by just a few months. "It was upon this family of wife and children that Mr. Long cast all his true affection and fatherly care. We therefore honor him as the loving heart, a man of holy ambitions and high ideals for those whom God had given him. "We honor him also as a worthy citizen. He coveted the best for his community, a builder and not a despoiler. The town will mourn the passing of one who lived in her midst as a good citizen and one who believed in her future glory. Friends will miss his cheering smile, his winsome disposition, and the warm handclasp given so freely to both friend and stranger. "We also honor him for his fraternalism. Mr. Long was a member of the Masonic Order, receiving his Masonic degrees in Eastern Star Masonic Lodge, 151, F. & A. M., on the following dates: initiated Feb. 9, 1884. He was passed June 14, 1884, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, July 12, 1884. He became affiliated with the Winnfield Chapter, No. 59, June 24, 1909. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias, a member of the Royal Arch Chapter. "And now my friends his life is closed. And yet not closed, for there is a grand reunion awaiting in the morning of that endless day for the Autumn of life. Here is springtime of life yonder. The evening here with its setting sun is the morning yonder with its rising sun. The closing of our gate is but the opening of the pearly portals of the Heavenly land. And as God gives another springtime to the flowers after they have faded and have disappeared from sight, so another springtime will come to you and me after the frosts of years has passed. "Therefore you can say with Paul, 'Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.'" "Mr. Long was with you many years. God lengthened the span even beyond the allotted time. He was born in Mississippi, Smith County, Jan. 11, 1849, and passed away Sept.11, 1928, at the good age of 79 years and 8 months. "Another warrior had laid aside the implements of his warfare, another pilgrim has come to the end of the way, and we say, "Sleep on Oh Christian warrior and take thy rest, for in the dawn of the glorious morn, you will awaken to clasp the hands of your redeemed loved ones. Never more to part, never more to sadness given, but to serve your Christ in that holier Kingdom, where you will enjoy the presence of all the saints of that fair city, forever and ever. Amen."