Janis Ara Gregory Long, 1939–2020

Janis Ara Gregory Long was called home to walk with her King on June 24, 2020.

Born at home in Swenson, Texas, on April 30, 1939, Janis was the fourth of five children and the only daughter of John D. Gregory and Jewell Irene Boland Gregory. She grew up in Girard, Texas, graduating from Girard High School with the class of 1957. She went on to graduate from Draughon’s Business College in Lubbock, Texas.

Janis married her childhood sweetheart, Royce Gwyn Long, on October 3, 1959, in Girard. Together they farmed and raised livestock in Dickens County. Janis worked as a bookkeeper at the John Deere house in Spur, was employed at the Department of Human Resources for 26 years, and later worked an additional 10-plus years for the SPCAA at the Spur Clinic, retiring in 2006. Janis was a very caring and loving servant of the Lord through her work and as a member of the Church of Christ for over 70 years. Her favorite pastimes were reading, cooking, sewing and the study of history.

Janis was preceded in death by both of her parents and brother Gary. She is survived by Gwyn and their three children, Tonya Kelsey and husband, Kelly, of Spur, Curt Long of Cleburne, Monique Pyle and her husband, Greg, of Denton; her brothers Rance Gregory of Clarendon, Garth and wife, Alta, of Girard, Ronnie Gregory of Elgin, sister-in-law Margie Gregory of Richards; her seven grandchildren, Brittany Long, Guthrie Long and wife, Stevie, Dakota Parker and husband, Damion, Sierra Marcell and husband, Jacob, Mylea J. Pyle, Margery Pyle and Veronica Pyle; and her five great-grandchildren, Jaelyn, Cooper, Rheagan, Keagan and Colson, along with numerous other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to your favorite charity or Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store, Children’s Home of Lubbock, or Highway 70 Church of Christ in Spur, Texas.