Shirley Jane (Henson) Long

Shirley Jane Henson Long, age 88, of Vilas, passed away Friday, April 18, 2025.

She was a native of Watauga County and the daughter of the late Clark Russell Henson

and Lula Jane Austin Henson.

Shirley graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College with her master’s degree.

She taught First and Second grades in the Newton-Conover school system from the

early 1960’s through the 1990’s.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Walter

Long, III; her sister, Elizabeth Ann Henson Surratt (Ralph), and nephew David Surratt.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy Mae Henson Murray (Charles), and her children

Nanette Moore (Buddy) and Jeffrey Murray (Tammi), all of Claremont; her brothers,

Johnny Russell Henson (Helen) and their children Angela Henson (Darren Halgas),

Deborah Isenhour (Jeffrey), and Scott Rominger all of Cove Creek; brother Billy Joe

Henson (Janice) and their children Scott Henson (Dana), and Robin Henson Goss

(Jeffrey) all of Laurel Springs; brother Russell Austin Henson (Cara) of Cove Creek.

A memorial service will be conducted Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in Henson

Chapel United Methodist Church, Vilas.

Memorial donations may be made to Henson Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o

Donna Frances, 120 Henson Hollar Road, Vilas, NC 28692

Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website

www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Long family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Jane (Henson) Long, please visit our floral store.