Laura Long

Laura Jo Underwood Long, 85, formerly of Circle Drive, Helena, Ark., died Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark., after an extended illness. Ms. Long was born on Dec. 9, 1925 in Helena to Charles M. and Helen Clatworthy Underwood. She retired from Mid-Delta Transit and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was an avid bridge player, belonging to several Helena bridge clubs. She is survived by her sons, B.A. Long and wife Donna of Lexington, N.C., Dr. William Long and wife Heather of Sumter, S.C., Rodney Long and wife Tina, of Little Rock, Richard Long and wife Tena, of Woodinville, Wash., and Brett Long and wife Julie of Biloxi, Miss.; her grandchildren, Laurie Long Briggs and husband Dan of Lexington, Billy Long, Lindsay Long Liognon and husband Michael, Dr. Lauren Long Lajzer and husband John, Dr. Justin Long and wife Sarah, Jason Long, Carrington Long, Malisa Long Field and husband Brian and Ben Long and wife Candice; her great-grandchildren, Sidney Leier Briggs, Lyndon Carroll Briggs, Hadley Worth Briggs. Jack Daniel Briggs II, Kaylee, Max, and Natalie Field and Jacob Long; and her special friend, Carl B. Haynie of Little Rock. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Helena. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 123 Columbia St., Helena, AR 72342 or to the donor's choice.