William Chris Biggn' Long

William Christopher “Chris” Long, age 47 passed away on February 18, 2016 at his home surrounded by family and friends. He was a loving father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed. Chris was born September 29, 1968 in Kingsport, TN. He spent his entire life in the Tri-Cities area. He was known as (Bigg’n or Big Ab) to family and friends. He was of the Baptist Faith. Chris was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School and received an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Maintenance from Northeast State. He was employed at BAE Systems as a material expeditor for 14 years. Chris enjoyed working at BAE and looked forward to returning to work. He missed all of his friends. Chris enjoyed taking his son to football and baseball practices when in school, skeet shooting, fishing and hunting.

He was preceded in death by his Maternal Grandfather, Robert “Jay” Maness and Paternal Grandparents, Frank and Ruby Long. Chris is survived by his Maternal Grandmother, Eliza Ethel Maness, Son, Aaron Christopher Long of the home; Mother, Joyce Bishop and Stepfather Joe, Seymour, TN., who he thought of as a father; Sister, Melissa Jones and friend Andrew, and her children Austin and Brandon; Step-sister, Stephanie (Rusty) Stafford, and their children, Sarah and Hannah of Knoxville, TN; Father, Bill Long and Step-Mother Linda of Kingsport, TN; Uncles, Mitchell (Teresa) Maness and their son Justin, Ronnie (Linda) Maness, and their children, Timmy, Brandy and Carrie; Aunt Linda (Alvin) Davenport, and their children Eric and Susan, all of Kingsport.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Andrew Kramer, Dr. Dickson, Dr. Green, 5th floor nurses and PCT’s at Wellmont for their excellent care and support during Chris’s recent visit; Allyson Wills, transitional support at The Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA; and Kristi Cox, Chris’s personal champion with CIGNA. They supported the family so much during the last 14 months. We will be forever grateful for their help. To BAE Systems, Inc. and employees, Thank you for the hospital visits, telephone calls, your support, thoughts and prayers during this time. To, Larry Selbe, Chris’s caregiver, words can never express how much we have appreciated your care, support and friendship to Chris and our entire family. It will never be forgotten.

Pallbearers will be Austin Jones, Justin Maness, Jason Wolfe, Brandon Jones, William Lawson, Chris Robbins, Mitchell Maness and Rusty Stafford. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff Simpson, Randy Osborne, Rick Bishop, Steve Johnson, Mike Harmon, Randy Carrico, Eddie Short, B. J. Hudson, Jeff Shelton and Larry Selbe.

At Chris's request he wanted everyone to be comfortable by wearing jeans and a shirt. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at East Lawn Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow immediately after the visitation at 2:00 pm in the chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home, with Rev. Todd Jennings and Rev. Rex Maness officiating. Eulogy by Bobby Reynolds. Burial will be on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 3:00 pm at East Lawn Memorial Park. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor serving the Chris Long family.