Peggy Long

Peggy Louise (Burnett) Long, of Abingdon, Virginia, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Commonwealth Senior Living in Abingdon, surrounded by her loved ones.

Peggy was born April 2, 1939 in Anderson County, Tennessee to the late Estle and Lavola (Childs) Burnett. She was a coal miner’s daughter and she and her parents and four siblings moved around frequently for work in the Appalachian coalfields and lived in Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia.

Peggy graduated from Ervinton High School in Nora, Virginia, where she met her husband, William Howard (Bill) Long, Jr. They were married for 33 years and lived most of those years in Abingdon, Virginia while raising their daughter, Pamela Long Hammond.

Peggy retired from the Washington County Virginia School System after 20 years of service. She loved instructing and aiding in the education of young people. Throughout her years of service, she worked with Pre-K summer programs, Kindergarten, and Title I Reading and Math Programs.

Peggy also enjoyed serving in several churches throughout her years, were she was a church pianist, taught Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible schools, weekly nursing home ministries and led in the Women’s Missionary Union.

Peggy was also a musician and enjoyed singing and playing the piano and guitar. Over the years, she enjoyed singing, playing and traveling with three gospel music groups. She also enjoyed singing in her church choir and serving with her dear friends in the Willing Workers class. She was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Bristol, Virginia.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Estle and Lavola Burnett; brothers, Estle Burnett, Jr. and (wife Ilene), Fredrick Lee Burnett, and James Edward Burnette and (wife Gail); her sister, Rebecca Ann Burnette; and by her beloved husband, William Howard (Bill) Long, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Hammond and husband Tim of Bristol, Virginia; one granddaughter, Kristen Hammond Stett and husband Marcus, a great granddaughter Kallie Rheagan Stett and a great grandson Kade Anthony Stett, all of Fortson, GA; one uncle, Jack Burnette of Kingston, Tennessee; one brother-in-law, Terry Long and wife Kim of Wichita, Kansas; one sister-in-law, Loraine Long of Castlewood, Virginia; and several very special and beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

She will be remembered by former coworkers and children she worked with; remembered by her family and friends she loved and prayed for; by many who received calls, visits, cards and notes of encouragement with Bible verses from her; remembered for her good cooking, her strong will, deep faith, sweet smile, and the days of her quick wit and sense of humor, and her resounding, contagious, boisterous laugh. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family would like to thank all of her family and friends for the love, prayers and many kindnesses shown to her and the family; and they would like to express sincere gratitude to the special caregiver family of Commonwealth Senior Living and for MSA Hospice for their compassionate care.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at Victory Baptist Church in Bristol, Virginia. The memorial service will follow at 7:00 PM with Reverend Austin Cook officiating.

Committal services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Thursday, September 4, 2025 at Temple Hill Cemetery, in Castlewood, Virginia.

The family of Peggy Long is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.