Ava Marie Long

Ava Marie Brooks-Long was born February 13, 1953 in Washington D.C. to the late Robert L. and Catherine E. Brooks. On Friday, September 12, 2014, Ava peacefully slipped into eternity. Ava attended St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Aquasco, Maryland. When she moved to Richmond, Virginia she joined and was a very active member of North Gayton Baptist Church. Ava grew up in Aquasco,Maryland,where she had a very happy childhood with her sisters and brothers. Ava was educated in Prince George’s County Public School System and graduated from Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine, Maryland. She left Aquasco to fulfill her dream as an airline stewardess in Kansas City, Kansas. Ava decided to pursue further education and graduated from Massey Business College in Jacksonville, Florida. After completing her studies, she returned to Kansas and started her career in marketing at Sprint. She later transferred to Richmond, Virginia. She was then employed with Seif & Associates Medical Graphics/S&A Medical Graphics for over 20 years. In 1975, Michael and Ava Long were united in marriage in Kansas City, Kansas. /from this union, they were blessed with two children-Monica and Patrick. Ava was a active member of several organizations such as Child abuse Prevention Center, Urban League League, ABWA (American Business Women Association), Raintree Association, Youth Ministry, Publications Ministry, Christians Arts Ministry, and several other church ministries. Whatever the need was in church Ava was there. She was a one-on-a-kind confidant to many. Ava’s spirit and energy greeted everyone with a bright and loving smile. Whenever someone needed advice or a word of encouragement, she was always there, In fact, Ava was affectionately nicknamed “The Guru.” Her daughter, Monica, recalls her mother’s mantra, “God, Family, and Holidays.” Ava was always the one to organize all the family trips and outings. She initiated sisters holiday shopping activities, which happened each December. Ava even made sure they were shopping in style with matching shirts. Her most recent family trip was to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at the end of July 2014. While on vacation, Ava always had scheduled activities, and events to keep everyone well enterained. Her real joy was interacting with her family and friends. Ava leaves to cherish her memory two children Monica and Patrick; three grandchildren Michael, Christian and Gabrielle; her mother Catherine E. Brooks; two brothers R. Nolan Brooks(Beatrice) and Barron Brooks(Juanita);three sisters, Wanda Powell(Gene),Brenda Johnstone and Lelia Newman;mother-in-law Carry Long and sister-in-law JoAnn Stewart,Debra Long-Vaughn(Vernon),and T’Shanna Long-Young(Roy),Godmother Ruby Gross,God Children Deleaches Young,Gia Johnston,and Tara Newman and a host of nieces,nephews,other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Ava Marie Long

February 13, 1953 - September 12, 2014