The flu combined with other health problems claimed the life of a local minister last weekend.
55 year old Matt Long, pastor of the Dowelltown, Pisgah, and Fullers Chapel United Methodist Churches in the Dowelltown Charge, died on Saturday night at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
According to family members, Long, a diabetic, became sick with the flu on Thursday and he was taken to Smith County General Hospital after his sugar began to spike that afternoon. He was airlifted Friday night by helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and died on Saturday in a diabetic coma.
A resident of Brush Creek, Long is survived by: wife, Angela Long; children, Johnathon (Hoss) Long of Lebanon, Brandi Ann Hays and husband Ryan of Gordonsville, Josh Gregory and wife Michelle of Gordonsville, Casey Rainey of New Middleton, Jacob Gregory of New Middleton; father and mother-in-law, Eddie and Rita Montgomery of Pleasant Shade; wife’s grandparents, Johnny and Wilma Montgomery of Watertown; siblings, Kevin Long of Lebanon, Sherell White and husband Ray of New Middleton, Mary Roberts of Carthage, Carrie Long of Kentucky, Rene’ Johnson of Lebanon; 7 grandchildren.
The funeral was held Wednesday, February 19 at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Brush Creek Cemetery.
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