Martha Jean Bird Long Mobley

Martha Jean Bird Long Mobley, age 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 15, 2026, after complications from kidney stones while in hospice care. Born in 1930 to John Phifer Bird, Sr. and Gladys Hunt Bird. Martha began her spiritual journey at Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville, SC, where she was baptized by Dr. Ball. She attended Parker High School in Greenville, SC, graduating as part of the last class to graduate in 11 years. Martha continued her education at Winthrop Girls College and Furman University.

Martha met Reginald Long, known as Reggie, whom she lovingly called the love of her life. They married on January 10, 1952, beginning a partnership that resulted in four children, whom Martha cherished as her greatest blessing. Their family lived in multiple cities, including Greenville, SC; Stamford, CT; Charlotte, NC; Dallas, TX; and Marietta, GA, where she remained until her passing. Reggie passed April 7, 1985 following a long bout with heart related issues. In 1990 Martha met Taze Mobley while square dancing. They were married December 1, 1990. The early years of their marriage was spent traveling the globe visiting such places as Japan, China, Italy, Germany, France, England, Scotland, Ireland. They extensively traveled to locations throughout the USA. Some of their favorite locations were Birdsboro, PA, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, Williamsburg, New York and Washington, DC. Taze passed on August 22, 2010 at the age of 91.

Martha’s passion for music led her to sing in church choirs for many years. She especially enjoyed participating in the Singing Christmas Tree performances at Eastside Baptist and First Baptist Church of Powder Springs, GA. She learned to play bridge during college and continued playing throughout her life. Martha also earned her PADI Scuba Diving certificate, going on diving adventures where she swam with manatees, dolphins, and manta rays. Martha even hoped to attempt sky diving someday. She was a member of the Dixie Twirlers Square Dance Club in Marietta, GA, Cobb County Newcomers. Martha enjoyed tending her vegetable garden, preserving her harvest by canning and freezing. She had an amazing green thumb. Martha spent countless hours working her flower gardens and her orchids, African violets, and Christmas Cactus. She adored birds, especially hummingbirds, yellow finch and eagles, often watching them through webcams, including the Berry College Eagle Webcam. A voracious reader is a understatement. She spent many hours reading books sent by her sister Joan. Martha was also a sports fan, following the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, and golf pro Lucas Glover. In her final days, she enjoyed watching the Olympics.

Genealogy was one of Martha’s great passions. Encouraged by her sister Ruth, she joined the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Marietta, GA. Martha dedicated much of her time to building and updating family trees and loved assisting others in tracing their ancestry. Organizing and attending family reunions brought her great joy.

Martha’s faith was central to her life and served as the foundation for her family. She read the Bible nightly, first in book form and later her iPad. She participated in several Bible study programs, reading the Bible from cover to cover. Martha’s mission was to ensure her family was active in church, that each member accepted Christ as their personal savior, and was baptized. She was grateful to have attended or known of the baptisms and christenings of all but three of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Martha was devoted to service, acting as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader and chaperoning events for the Cobb County Special Olympics and Cobb Parks and Recreation’s Special Pops group, which her son Steven participated in for many years. She was a member of the Greenville Junior League from the mid 1950’s until she left Greenville in 1968.

Martha is survived by her four children: Fabian Long Garrison (John) of Marietta, GA; Leslie Long French (Mark) of Taylors, SC; Steven Reginald Long of Canton, GA; and Valerie Long Southard (Scott) of Canton, GA. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Vivian Mobley Connelly (Ken) and Russell Taze Mobley, both of Brentwood, TN, and her sister Joan Bird Holland of Greer, SC.

Martha leaves behind six grandchildren: Tony Garrison (Missy), Nicole Garrison Ellison (fiancé Jerimiah), Abigail French (fiancé Callaway), Sgt. Anthony French, Brooks King (Brittany), and Kane Southard (Hannah).

She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Riley Garrison, Carter Garrison, Avery Garrison, Raelynn French Cooper, Beau King, Rhett King, Blair Southard, Madison Ellison (fiancé Michael), and Makenley Ellison.

Martha was predeceased by her parents, John Phifer Bird, Sr. and Gladys Hunt, her brothers John Phifer Bird, Jr. (Betty) and Luther Bird (Bernice), her sisters Ruth Bird Jameson (Hugh), Julia Bird, and beloved sisters-in-law Merele Long Copeland, Dorsette Long Berry, Atha Long Bridges, and Elizabeth Long Crompton Hart.

Martha will be remembered for her love for family, wide-ranging interests, and the warmth she brought to all who knew her. Her legacy of faith, devotion, and joy for life will continue through those she loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Martha’s honor to Samaritan's Purse, Georgia Special Olympics, or Wounded Warrior Project. Links to these organizations can be found below.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Mackey Funeral Home & Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609. The funeral service will follow in the chapel at 12:00 PM. Martha will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park following the service.