NEWPORT — Ms. Shirley Crite Long,
84, of Newport, Ark., peacefully departed this life on Thursday, February 1, in Little Rock, Ark. Born in Swifton, Ark., on November 27, 1939, to Will H. Crite Sr. and Arma Lena (Kirk) Crite. At an early age, she accepted Christ and was a beloved member of the Greater Morning Star Baptist Church, Newport, Ark.
Shirley was a proud graduate of W. F. Branch High School, Class of 1959. After graduation, she received further training and was a dedicated teacher in the Newport Head Start Program for over 35 years. Her greatest joy was teaching and cultivating young, impressionable minds.
Shirley’s own family brought her great pleasure. It was evident when anytime a family member or friend called, she always had a listening ear and was full of knowledge and wisdom. Shirley’s superpower was selflessly taking care of family members. She emphasized and instilled in her children and grandchildren the following core values with great importance: be loving, honest, and kind, be respectful to others, and be family-oriented.
Aside from work, she enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, crossword puzzles, and watching mystery movies. She was always loving and engaging, with a beautiful smile that will be cherished and remembered forever.
Shirley preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Clayborn “Jack” Sprawling.
Shirley leaves to cherish her memory three loving sons, Rodney (Cindy) Long, Kevin (Kimberly) Long, and Timothy (Verkeytia) Long, all of Little Rock, Ark.; two brothers, Will Crite, Jr. of Newport, Ark. and Clemmie (Lonnie Mae) Crite of Diaz, Ark.; one sister, Jean Borders of Plymouth, Mich.; and two special sisters-in-law, Margarett Sprawling of San Antonio, Texas. and Dr. Gloria L. Anderson of Powder Springs, Ga. She embraced the love of her nine cherished grandchildren.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the Greater Morning Star Baptist Church in Newport, with visitation from 1 p.m. until service time. Interment will be at New Hope Cemetery.