Mary Allen Longest, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother went to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday, August 26, 2007. She leaves behind her devoted husband of 51 years, Calvin Longest; her daughters, Gayle Longest and Sharon Kelly; her son-in-law, Glenn Kelly; and her grandchildren, Tyler Kelly, Nicole Kelly, and Zeel Longest. Mary is survived also by a brother, Robert W. Allen and his wife, Frances, of Greensboro, NC; and a sister-in-law, Ina I. Allen of Danville. She was predeceased by two sisters, M. Francis Allen and Ruby A. Reynolds; and two brothers, Syd Allen and Thomas Allen. Mary also leaves behind the loving caregivers, nursing staff, and friends at Ginter Hall West, where she had been a resident for 10 years.

Mrs. Longest attended Averett College and Pan-American Business School. In the 1940s and 1950s she was an employee of the IVNA nursing service. She was a member of Second Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 pm Wednesday at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 W. Broad St. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Thursday, August 30, in Powell Chapel at Second Baptist Church. Interment at 2 pm in Upper King & Queen Baptist church Cemetery, Newtown, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Christian Children's Fund, Inc. 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond VA 23294.