Patricia Sams Long, 76, of Weems Chapel Road, Mosheim, died Saturday afternoon at Takoma Regional Hospital.

She attended the Worldwide Church of God for many years, and at the time of her death, she was a member of Christian Fellowship Church in Russellville.

Her family provided the following statement: "Mrs. Long, a homemaker, was a loving and caring wife, mother, and friend. She devoted her life to caring for family. Her greatest ministry was connecting to friends by sending cards and letters. She was always sending cards of encouragement, sympathy, and friendship."

Survivors include her husband of nearly 57 years: Paul A. Long; two sons and daughters-in-law: Rodney and Cissy Long and Gerry and Jeane Long; two daughters and one son-in-law: Paula Long of Lanexa, Va., and Shawn (Long) and Jim Burns of Blountville; five grandchildren: Rodney Long II, Morgan Cox, Ian Cox, Storm Long, and Nicholas Long; her stepgrandchildren: Jimmy Hickman, Amanda Swick, Joshua Hickman, Becky Huskey, Brian Hickman, Marc Hickman, Kathy Swick, and Page Swick; one brother and sister-in-law: Edward and Lana Wilhoit; two special aunts and one special uncle: Carmen and Ozella Sams and Shelby Gosnell; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law: James "Bud" Reed, Marie Reed, and Dolly Sams; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece: Nancy Campbell; and her special friends: Randall and Josephine Justice. She was preceded in death by her father: Jack Thomas Sams; her mother: Letha Sams Wilhoit; and one brother: Billy Dean Sams.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. today and 2-4 and 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home.

The funeral service will follow visitation at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel.

Pastor Ellis Necessary, Pastor Vivian Reed, and Pastor Charles Weatherly will officiate.

Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to GreeneLawn Memory Gardens for the 10 a.m. committal service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross or the Greene County Shrine Club.