Linda Ann NeSmith Long

Linda Ann NeSmith Long, 87, of Bainbridge, passed away Friday, December 19, 2025.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Ken Cloud officiating. Interment will follow at Black Jack Baptist Church Cemetery with Mitch Royals, Ronnie Franklin, Jacky Grubbs, and Robert NeSmith, Jr. serving as active pallbearers.

The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 1:00-1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to Firehouse Arts Center, PO Box 35, Bainbridge, GA 39818 www.bainbridgeart.com/donate or Susan G. Komen at www.komen.org/donate.

Linda Ann NeSmith was born April 25, 1938, in Pelham, GA, the daughter of Ben Hill & Mary Bullock NeSmith. She was a graduate of Pelham High School. In 1957, Linda married Rev. Thomas P. Long and followed his ministry over several states along the East Coast, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Rhode Island, and Alabama. Linda and Tommy eventually returned to Bainbridge. Linda worked at Independent Life before beginning her career as a caseworker with Georgia Department of Family & Children’s Services. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Camilla.

Linda claims she was one of the first students to enroll at Bainbridge Junior College, earning credits there while serving in her local church and working full time. She served as WMU facilitator for Eldorendo Baptist Church and WMU director for Bowen Baptist Association for many years. Retirement gave Linda opportunities to spread her wings. She enjoyed painting, was a member of the Firehouse Artists Guild, and won many awards for her work. Linda continued ministering to women by organizing breast cancer awareness programs as well as a support group, Bosom Buddies, for the surrounding area. Linda was instrumental in sharing information to educate and support women living with a disease she knew firsthand. As a former Miss Mitchell County, Linda knew how to light up a room and work the crowd.

Survivors include her two sons, Thomas P. Long, Jr. and Robert French Long and his wife, Rosemary; her six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Beth Starnes, Mary Ruth (Dan Harris), and Mavlyn NeSmith; and several nieces & nephews. In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Thomas P. Long, Sr.; her son, James Hill Long; and her siblings, Robert NeSmith, Ralph NeSmith, and Louise Gilstrap.

The Long Family extends their sincerest gratitude to Memorial Manor Staff and Georgia Hospice Care for their kind and compassionate care.