Verna Laura Long

Verna Laura Long was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 24, 1918, the second child, and oldest girl of ten children born to Stephen and Lear Belcher. She made the transition to join her parents and seven of her siblings on April 5, 2011, and is survived by two sisters, Greta Smith and Barbara Smith (Jerome), brother-in-law, James Gray who resides in Chicago, and daughter-in-law Blondell Long who resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Verna married Benjamin Charles Long and from this union was born three children, Terrell (Blondell), Adrienne (Gus) Miller and Millicent (Leonard) McGinnis. Both Terrell and Benjamin preceded her in death. Verna was also a second mother to Phyllis Cooke (her niece) who she loved and raised as her own. She was grandmother to Terrell Jr., Tracy, and Tammy (Terrell Senior’s children), Gustavia and Brian (Adrienne’s children), and Derrick and Leilauni (Millicent’s children).

Verna is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren, twelve in Milwaukee, and one (Abrianna) in Arizona. There are a host of loved ones who will forever cherish having Verna in their lives, including her nieces and nephews, most of whom live in Chicago, but her niece Linda (Jeff), great-niece, Kelly (Jonas), great-great-nieces, Mesha (Vincent), Maya, and Jordynn, and great-great-great-niece, Vivian, all live in the Portland area along with a host of extended family and friends.

Verna loved to bake rolls, cakes, pies and cookies and share them with family and friends. She loved going to the movies and really enjoyed traveling around the world, and especially to Chicago and Arizona to tend to her family when someone needed her care. She was a very loving, kind, giving and peaceful person who was always thoughtful to others.

We celebrate Verna’s life and the many blessings that we all received from knowing and loving her, and having her in our lives.