Arthur “Chappell” Long, Jr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at the age of 74 with his daughters by his side.
Chappell was loved by all who knew him and was shown great love by the outpouring of visitors from family and friends before his passing. Chappell was always smiling and loved to tell a good story while enjoying his boiled peanuts, popcorn, and Diet Mountain Dew!
Chappell was born on April 24, 1949, to Arthur Chappell Long, Sr. (Pete) and Birdie Lou Carter Long of Leesburg, Georgia. Chappell grew up with his sister, Belinda Long Clark, in Smithville, Georgia on his family farm and moved to Metter, Georgia in 1984.
He was a 1967 graduate of Lee County High School. He received his associate degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1970. Go Dawgs! Chappell served in the Army National Guard. He retired from the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Parole in 2013 as a Parole Officer.
While attending the University of Georgia, Chappell was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) Fraternity. It was through AGR that he met a beautiful ZTA, Jane Wimbish Long, who became his forever date. Jane and Chappell were married on March 22, 1974.
Chappell was a faithful member to the Metter Methodist Church and the Sunshine Sunday School Class.
During his free time over the years, you would find Chappell serving at varies church events, playing golf, playing church league basketball and softball, coaching his daughter’s sports teams, the Lions Club, and an active band parent. When Chappell was not known as “Coach”, he was known as “my other Daddy” by his daughter’s friends.
Chappell was proud to be a Metter Athletic Booster Club Member and loved supporting the Metter High School baseball, softball, basketball, and football teams. He knew every player by name and enjoyed watching them grow with their sport. Go Metter Tigers!
During his retirement, he loved to spend time visiting his friends and family and going to all of Metter’s sports events with his ROMEO friends (Retired Old Men Eating Out). He especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters Caroline and Addison. Saturdays for Chappell in the fall were reserved for Georgia football and hanging out with the gang at Steven and Jana’s. Sundays were for church and his beloved small group.
Chappell is proceeded in death by his wife, Jane Wimbish Long and parents Pete and Birdie Long.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his daughters, Jennifer (Derek) Price of Marietta, Ga, Stephanie Long of Manassas, GA, and Lynette (Jonathan) Gordy of Sylvania, Ga. Sister, Belinda (Arthur) Clark of Leesburg Ga, and niece Rebecca (Ronnie) Blalock of Doerun, Ga, and granddaughters Caroline and Addison Price of Marietta, GA.
The family will hold a Memorial Service at Metter Methodist Church on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 3 pm with visitation from 2-3pm All are invited to attend church at 11am and/or a covered dish lunch (Chappell’s favorite) following the 11 o’clock service.
Remembrances can be made to the Metter Methodist Church, 30 West Lillian Street, Metter, Ga 30439 in memory of Chappell Long.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro.
