Obituary
Monday, April 8, 2024 Lewis “Davis” Long, at the incredible age of 100 years, and seven months, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, in the comfort of his own bed in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Born August 13, 1923, in Palatka, FL, he was the son of Lewis Wentfry Long and Goldie Sylva Davis of Palatka. He spent the early years of his life in the small town of Palatka and attended the local schools in that area. During this time, the seeds of passion for music and literature were first planted. It was at the young age of 12 years old that he began playing piano for his local church; a service to the church that he would continue with little pause until the age of 96. Upon first venturing out of his hometown, he attended Stetson University in Deland, FL for a year, prior to the start of the Second World War.
He enlisted and served in the US Navy as signal corps flagman, with the responsibility of directing the amphibious landing craft in the Pacific theater of World War II, until he was awarded the opportunity to attend officer training school on the US east coast. He was completing his training as the war came to a close and decided not to pursue a career as a Naval Officer.
Upon his return to civilian life, he attended and graduated from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N.J. and immediately returned to service for the church serving as music minister and organist at Atco Presbyterian Church, Atco, New Jersey from 1949 until 1952.
Davis decided to return to Florida in 1952 and became a teacher for the Putnam County Public Schools, and organist for the First Presbyterian Church in Palatka, where he would eventually meet the love of his life, Loubelle Gertrude Tyre. He and Loubelle were married Oct. 26, 1955, in Palatka, where they made their home; they would be at each other's side for more than 60 years. They both were employed by Putnam County Public Schools, Loubelle being Supervisor of Schools and curriculum and eventually running for Superintendent of Schools in 1959. Both of their children, Mark Daniel Long and Melody Ann Long, were born while they lived in Palatka.
The family moved to Ocala, FL in 1961, where they both continued teaching in the public school system. Davis taught English and was band director before becoming school librarian at Ft. King Junior High. In addition to being a dedicated educator Davis was organist for the First United Methodist Church of Ocala. His passion for literature led him to earn his master’s degree of Library Science from the University of Florida, Gainesville in 1972. After retirement from public school, he continued as organist at First United Methodist in Ocala serving a total of 30 years.
He and Loubelle moved to Penney Farms Retirement Community in April,1990, where he directed choirs and served as organist and pianist until 2018. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2015. Loubelle passed Sept. 7, 2016.
Davis moved to Daytona Beach, February 2020, to live with his daughter, Melody Long Anglin, who acted as his loving caregiver until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Virginia “Ginny” Long Dardin, Joy Long Brown, and George Long, wife Loubelle, and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.
He is survived: by daughter, Melody Long Anglin, of Daytona Beach, Fl; son-in-law, Louie D. Anglin; grandson, Jonathan Anglin of Miami Shores, FL; son, Mark Daniel Long and wife Gaylene Morton Long of Collinsville, OK; grandson Russell Isaac Long and wife Elizabeth Schenk Long and great-grandson Noah Orion Long of Colorado Springs, CO; granddaughter Jessica Ruth Long Davis and husband Joshua David Davis and great-grandson Jacob Clark Davis of Collinsville, OK; sister-in-law Pauline Tyre Leary of Palatka, FL.
A Visitation will be held at Lohman Funeral Home Ormond, 733 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 at 1 PM, with a Funeral Service at 2 PM and Reception following. A Graveside service will be held at Penney Farms Cemetery, 3190 FL-16, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 on Wednesday, April 17th at 2 PM.