Mary Kathleen Long

Mrs. Mary Kathleen Pratt Long “Granny Kathleen”, age 95, went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on January 28, 1929 in Columbus, Georgia and was one of 3 children. She was preceded in death by her father, Mr. Raleigh Pratt, her mother, Mrs. Elsie Hale and her step father, Mr. Sanford Hale, as well as her brother Reginald Pratt, and her twin sister Nadine Pratt. She was also preceded in death by her first husband of 39 years, Charles Champion, her late husband, Jay K. Long of 32 years, her son-in-law, Wesley Prince, and grandchildren, Eric Champion and Jacqueline Dumay. Survivors include her daughters Karen Prince and Dianna Lynn Foxx, son Charles Champion (Renee), her grandchildren Robert Prince (Leah), Chris Champion, Amy Spraggins, Ashley McClain-Lyons (Julie), JT McClain (Maggie), Jeremy Prince (Mandy), Matthew Champion (Elan), Jonathan McClain (Jane), Kee McClain (Brooke), Travis Champion, and Alana Kathleen Cool (Brent). 22 Great Grandchildren and 5 Great Great Grandchildren.

Granny Kathleen was very proud to have grown up in the Pepperell Mill Village of Opelika, AL. She often told of so many cherished childhood stories of the “good life” she had there. She also attended the Pepperell Baptist Church where she was a very active member and was greatly influenced by the Pastor there to attend Bob Jones University in Cleveland, TN. She worked hard to graduate early from Opelika High School and worked after school in the mill to save up enough money to attend BJU. After attending BJU for 2 years she returned home and met Charles Champion, a “handsome sailor”. They married and moved to Hawaii. She so enjoyed relaying stories of her time there. A few years later they returned to the Opelika area where she worked as a seamstress. She also enjoyed the years she worked as a teacher’s aide and eventually as a librarian.

After the death of her husband, Charles Champion, who she was married to for 39 years, she remarried Jay K. Long and they were married for 32 years before he passed.

Granny Kathleen was a devoted Christian mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Affectionately known as “Granny Kathleen” to well beyond the extent of immediate family. She was incredibly intelligent, loved puzzles, researching family history and genealogy, studying the Bible and was an avid reader, she truly loved to learn. She also enjoyed traveling with her family.

Granny Kathleen was known for her radiant smile, her unparalleled walk with the Lord, and her commitment to daily prayer for her family as she prayed for them each by name every night. She was a constant source of unconditional love, support, wisdom, advice, guidance, warmth and prayer. She made sure to instill her faith in God into the heart of her family. She is greatly treasured and will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 28th at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, March 29th in the Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel, officiated by Dr. Jeff Myers, to be followed by graveside services at Garden Hills Cemetery.