Aurea “Aurita” Lydia Ashford Long

Aurea “Aurita” Lydia Ashford Long, 88, of Jefferson, Georgia, formerly of Blytheville, Arkansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at The Phoenix at Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia.

 Mrs. Long was born on November 28, 1932 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.  She moved to Russellville, Arkansas with her family at the age of 14 and attended Russellville High School.  Following high school, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Arkansas Tech University where her father was a member of the faculty.  Upon graduation, she moved to Blytheville, Arkansas to begin her 37-year teaching career with the Blytheville School District.  The majority of her professional career was spent teaching Spanish at Blytheville High School where she retired in 1995. 

Aurita was a long-time parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church and an active member of the women’s church group.  She often travelled to visit with her family and enjoyed spending time with her four grandchildren.  Her many hobbies included baking, joining her friends for coffee each morning, reading, photography and discussing world events and local, state and national politics.  Aurita was an amazing and devoted mother who loved all her children dearly. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Long, her parents, Guy and Aurea Ashford, her brother, Norman Ashford, and her son Guy Long. 

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Julia and Michael Preston of Jefferson, Georgia; daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Dennis Wysocki of Flowery Branch, Georgia; grandson, Payne Wright (Erin) of Clermont, Georgia; granddaughters Allison Wright of Denver, Colorado, Anna Kate Haynes (Nic) of Clermont, Georgia, and Caroline A. Wysocki of Flowery Branch, Georgia; great- granddaughters Darsey and Sadie Wright of Clermont, Georgia; and sister and brother-in-law Martha and Walter Perryman of Blackhawk, Colorado.  She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

The family plans to have a memorial service at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blytheville, Arkansas at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of Mrs. Long to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com