Long

KERNERSVILLE – Mr. Ralph Eugene Long, 83, passed away Monday, April 6, 2015 at Kernersville Medical Center. Ralph was born on November 10, 1931 in Rowan County to Curtis A. Long, Sr. and Lizzie Miller Long. Ralph married Dorothea Peck Melton Long on June 14, 1969 and was a member of Morris Chapel United Methodist Church. Ralph retired from Duke Power after 36 years of service, working at Buck, Allen and Belews Creek Steam Stations. He served on the initial management team in 1974 that opened the Belews Creek Steam Station. Following his retirement, Ralph used his exceptional, self-taught talent of woodworking to build furniture and wood carvings for family, friends and the church. He spent 20 years hand making specialty wood carving knives that were sought out by wood carvers throughout the United States.
In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Dorothea Long; 3 daughters, Myra King (Tommy), Christie Gaffney (David) and Cheryl Harrison (Bobby); 3 sons, Maxwell “Sonny” Melton (Peggy), James Melton (Pamela) and Roger Melton; 6 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015 at Morris Chapel United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Morris Chapel United Methodist Church, 2715 Darrow Rd, Walkertown, NC 27051. Condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com