Mr. Loy Frank Long

Loy Frank Long of Carrboro, NC was born November 24, 1941, at Duke Hospital, Durham, to the late Joseph Webb Long and Ruth Jones Long. He peacefully transitioned into eternal rest at his home on Monday, October 9, 2023, after a lengthy illness.

Loy graduated from Central High School (Hillsborough, NC) ‘Class of 1959’. He began working in his family’s tobacco fields in Alamance County NC. Loy was proud to tell his children that he had his own tobacco patch at 8 years old, earning his own money, instilling a strong work ethic among his children. During the 60’s and early 70’s Loy was well known on Franklin Street as one of the managers of the Rathskeller and Zoom Zoom restaurants.

After marrying (Shirley Shade) and moving to Durham, he began selling cars at Coggin Pontiac on 15-501. In the mid 70’s Loy owned and operated the Sunoco gas station in Chapel Hill until the late 80’s. In February 1989, Loy was appointed Magistrate of the District Court of North Carolina for Orange County, where he served until his retirement in November 2009.

While working as a Magistrate in Orange County, Loy met Karen Solomon. They shared a 34-year   commitment, married for twenty-nine (29) of those years. Carrboro became their permanent home. (Loy’s children express a debt of gratitude to Karen for the love, dedication, and support that she provided to their father especially during his illness; “daddy was cared for better than anyone could ever have imagined”).

Loy was a faithful and dedicated member of St. Paul AME Church where he served as Trustee and advisor for the physical church structure. Loy served with several community organizations such as The Modern Men’s and Sertoma Clubs; he was a long-time voting poll Supervisor for the Carrboro OWASA precinct. Loy served on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity and Orange County Dispute Settlement Center; he was a lifetime member of the NAACP. Loy received numerous awards and accolades for his many civic, community and humanitarian endeavors.

We celebrate Loy’s life today! He will be remembered by many for his strong and silent faith, his love of family and his sense of humor. Surviving is his wife, Karen Solomon Long. Daughters, Lisa Long Jackson (Wayne) Pittsboro; Lori Long Powell, Pittsboro; LePrenia Collier (Rozier) Maryland; and Shalaunda Johns Brown (Chris) Louisiana. His sons, Loy Long, Jr. (Chapel Hill) Tim Long (Monica) Durham, and Tremayne Long (Arizona). Loy was predeceased by his older sister Vivian Long; his surviving sisters are Lorena Wallace (Larry), Hillsborough; Linda Rousseau (Odis) New Jersey; brothers, Andre Long (Myra-deceased) Durham, Joel Long, Hillsborough. Ten (10) grandchildren, two (2) great grandchildren and host of caring nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Under God’s plan of care, Loy provided parental support as a father figure to several nieces and nephews. Most notably among these are Prudence Anders (Vernon) Whiteville, NC, Katrina Solomon (Carrboro) Kymora Solomon, Briana Campbell, and Kevin Anders of the home.

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