Obituary of Shirley Dean Long

Shirley Dean Long, 80, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alvy Glenn and Ruby Estelle Guice; her loving and devoted husband of 52 years, James L. Long; brother, Charles Edward Guice; sister, Sandra Annette Guice. Left to cherish her memory are her son, David L. Long; nephew, James Howard Guice; nieces, Jerri Ann Kammack and Debbie Kay Kirwin; and a host of other family and dear friends. Shirley was born in Grapeland, Texas. Her family relocated to Houston and she graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1958. While working her way through college, Shirley worked at the lunch counter at Weingarten’s Supermarket which would become the site of a civil right movement sit-in in 1960. Shirley graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. After graduation she became a primary school teacher at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and School. Shirley always had fond memories of her first-grade students and the impact that all the teachers had on those young lives. Education was always extremely important to her and she served on the Pearland ISD School Board in the early 1980s. Shirley shifted gears in the late 80s and became a successful real estate agent. She loved interacting with people and selling homes until her retirement in 2015. Shirley was strong in her faith and an active member of the First United Methodist Church where she helped teach children’s church. Family was extremely important to her and she was always there to support David in his school and extracurricular activities. Shirley will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Guiceland Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 571, Grapeland, Texas 75844. Services for Shirley will be held at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581. The visitation will take place Thursday, July 16, 2020 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held Friday, July 17, 2020 at 11:00 am in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Fred Willis officiating. Interment will take place Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:00 am at Guiceland Cemetery in Grapeland, Texas with Pastor Wade Harman officiating.