Joyce Ann Long, formerly of Southeast Missouri, passed away on May 2, 2025, at the age of 82 at Huntsville Hospital Family Hospice in Huntsville, Alabama.

She was born on May 28, 1942, to Jerald and Laura Thompson Ayers, and raised in the Little Vine community of southeast Missouri.

On September 4, 1962, she married Rev. Larry E. Long. For the next 35 years, they served Disciples of Christ churches in Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, and Indiana, until his death in 1997.

Following his passing, she worked as an Activities Director at the Calvert City Convalescent Center in Calvert City, Kentucky, before retiring to be near some of her grandchildren in Huntsville, Alabama.

She is survived by two sons: Michael (Julia) Long of Burke, Virginia, and Todd (Jina) Long of Huntsville, Alabama. Other survivors include six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, with a third due later this month.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Allyn Long, her sister, Geraldine Northcutt, her brother-in-law, Ron Northcutt, and her stepmother, Emma Lou McElmurry Ayers.

Vistiation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at noon, Friday, May 9, 2025, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, MO.

Interment will follow at Dogwood Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, buy yourself that one frivolous thing you've always wanted.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.