Merl Long, 73, Centerpoint

A service of Christian burial will be celebrated for Mr. Merl Long at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Hopewell Baptist Church, 794 Bryant Road, Centerpoint, LA. 71323 with Reverends Rickey Belgard and Lou Gordon officiating. Graveside services will be held at Hopewell Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Marksville.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 12, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and will resume on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at Hopewell Baptist Church in Centerpoint.
Mr. Merl Long was Born in Rector, Arkansas on February 23, 1950. He passed away on at his residence in Centerpoint on February 10, 2024 at the age of 73, with his Wife, Family and Friends by his side.
Merl worked hard all his life in the fields of Arkansas, hoeing and picking cotton with his brothers. His family moved to Vick, La. in 1964 to work the Delta Farms. He was drafted to serve in Vietnam War. He served his country with great pride. He later went on to working in the offshore drilling industry for 40 years.
Merl also served as a deacon at Hopewell Baptist Church for many years. He was also a member of the board for Hopewell Cemetery.
His greatest hobby was raising his chickens, fishing, and RVing with his family and friends.
Merl loved his wife Elsie of 50 years and their community with his entire heart and soul. Merl was a loyal and honorable man of great faith. He practiced his faith by helping others and sharing Jesus Christ with others he met.
We considered ourselves fortunate to have known and loved him. We will hold his memory, clinging to our faith and the promises of Jesus Christ. We will be reunited with him one day.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Wanda Duran Long; brothers, Jimmy Long and Carl Long; sister, Patricia Long; sister-in-law, Linda Long; nieces, Jennifer Long and Kayla Long; nephews, Kyle Ogarrd and Rodney Wiley.
He was survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Elsie Cole Long; one son, Eric Wayne Long (Marisa); grandchildren, Lauren Long Liberatore (Tristin), Summer Long, Tony Long; great grandchild, Harper Liberatore; brothers, Kenneth Long (Shirley), Glenn Long (Darlene), Gary Long, Ricky Long; sister, Tina Ogarrd (Mike); sister-in-law, Connie Long.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Michael Long, Tony Long, Brandon Long, Jason Long, Dustin Ogarrd, Beau Sylvia and Tristin Liberatore.
The Long family would like to extend a special thanks to the gracious hospice nurse, Caitlin Reynaud, RN of Christus Cabrini Group and all friends and family for their prayers, calls and visits.
Most of all, Sarah Bryant of whom has given wonderful love and care in our home to our precious loved one for over a year. The family thanks her for her service to him.
In Lieu of flowers, the family request donations in memory of Merl be made to Hopewell Baptist Church, 794 W. Bryant Red., Centerpoint, LA. 71323