Martha Leigh Johnson Long

“Journalism keeps you planted in the earth”~. Spoken by Ray Bradbury and believed by Martha Johnson Long, who, from 1948 to 1994 loyally devoted her journalistic talents to the Greensboro Daily News (now Greensboro News & Record) to communicate with our community. Until the very end she retained a desire to stay in touch with the world.

Martha was born in Roanoke Rapids to the late H.C. and Mattie Mae Boseman Johnson. She graduated from Roanoke Rapids High School and then pursued her degree in English at Greensboro College. Under the tutelage of Miss Mary Ginn her passion for journalism flourished and she became a correspondent for the Daily News reporting on activities at the college. After graduation in 1948 she was hired full time by the Daily News and after 18 years with the Woman’s Department she was promoted to woman’s editor. She remained with Greensboro News & Record, writing for several departments until her retirement in 1994. Martha died at Wesley Long Hospital on December 21, 2016.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be at 1 PM, Friday, December 30, 2016 at First Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Steve Pressley. The family will receive friends during a reception following the service in the church atrium.

Martha married C. Bradley Long in 1953. He majored in journalism from Chapel Hill and they met while working at the Daily News. Bradley passed away in 1974. Martha, ever strong, forged on to provide for her three girls and continued her career with the News and Record. During her tenure she was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club (Rotary International’s highest honor) and numerous additional accolades. She had a generous servant’s heart and a passion for helping others. She volunteered with organizations too many to mention and was a woman of great faith who for more than sixty years was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. She was an outspoken, up front staunch Democrat, not afraid to ask hard questions, gave great advice, and has been described as a tough feminist force to be reckoned with. She had a wide circle of associates and friends from all walks of life who will dearly miss her.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Smith of Greensboro and Leigh Anna (Richard) Hurt of Farmville; five grandsons, Bradley Kyle Smith and Carlton Reid Smith of Greensboro, William Taft Hollingsworth of Gainsville, VA, Evan Douglas Hollingsworth and Bradley Lee Frazier both of Farmville. In addition to her parents and spouse she is preceded in death by her daughter, Martha Bradley Long in 1997.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Friends Home Guilford, First Baptist Church of Greensboro or Urban Ministries. The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Friends Home Guilford for their tender care and friendship shown to Martha during her residence. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com. Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel is assisting the family.