Jane Sawyer Long

1932-2014

Jane Sawyer Long passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long illness on January 2, 2014, in Birmingham, Alabama. She leaves this earthly life to join Calvin Long, her beloved husband of 63 years, to be together again in the Lord’s heavenly life. Jane was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Willie R. and Piccola Belle Sawyer.

Jane is survived by her brother, Donald Edward Sawyer and his caring wife, Barbara. Also surviving are her daughters, Alisa Belle Long, Valerie O’Brien (son-in-law, Timothy) and her son, Clayton Hunter Long, a family she raised with so much love. Jane’s strength and care in providing a good home for her family – from their home in New York, to Ohio and then in Birmingham, is beyond compare and one for which her family will be forever thankful. Jane also gave her special love to six cherished grandchildren, Danielle Long, Alexandra O’Brien, Mitchell O’Brien, Amanda O’Brien, Dallas Long and Farrah Long. Many nieces and nephews in North Carolina and Virginia will also miss their “Aunt Jane and Uncle Calvin”.

Jane’s life was full of variety – from sock hops and cheerleading in high school, to her amazing talents with floral design and decorating, to her wonderful holiday meals and special birthday cakes, and especially with her imagination and creativity during parties, family trips cross country and many “gatherings” at her beach condo in Orange Beach. Jane was also active in her church life – both at New Hempstead Presbyterian Church in New City, New York and in Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. She loved her church family dearly and thoroughly enjoyed their companionship during worship, during beach and boating trips and even the Kentucky Derby. Jane was also a member of the Red Hatters and the Iris Garden Clubs. She had a special love for animals, the arts and music. A genuinely wonderful, sweet and lovely person, Jane will be deeply missed by all.

A family burial service will be held at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham, on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12 noon. A memorial service will be held at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church that afternoon, at 3 p.m., with a church visitation reception for family and friends immediately following.

The family would request that you honor Jane’s life with contributions to Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.