Jo Ann Long, 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday January 2, 2024, at First Health Hospice & Palliative Care in Pinehurst.
She was the daughter of the late Gladwin Lee Priest and Beatrice Priest Savage. A native of Bladen County, she was born and raised on her family farm in Tar Heel, NC. She attended Tar Heel High School and obtained her North Carolina Cosmetology License and her State Cosmetology Instructor’s License. During her cosmetology career, she owned and operated two successful salons. Her first salon, Ladies and
Gent’s, was in Lumberton, NC. During those first years, she won two State Hairstyling Awards given by the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Arts. She also accepted her first instructor position with Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, NC.
In 1984, she and her husband, Ray, relocated to Moore County where she accepted a position with Sandhills Community College. Her true calling was to always make her customers look and feel their very best. Shortly after relocating to Southern Pines, Jo Ann opened Ladies and Gent’s II. Regionally, she was known for her haircutting skills and many of her Lumberton clients traveled the hour distance to see their favorite stylist. Over the years, she mentored several employees who later owned and operated their own businesses. Her customers never really let her retire until Ray said, “enough is enough” and she stopped letting clients come into their home for weekly haircuts and styling.
Jo Ann attended First Baptist Church Southern Pines. She was an active member of the Ruth Class and her many talents were shared within the church. One of her favorite roles was on the church decorating committee. She loved to cook and found joy in the happiness it brought her family and friends. Her chocolate pies were a regular request when she served on the hospitality committee at FBCSP. But, her most favorite role in life was being ‘Nana’ to her seven grandchildren.
She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Ray, daughters Kay Leonard (Barry) of Southern Pines, and Scarlett Oliver (Chris) of Lumberton, along with her grandchildren, Kensley Wilson (Brendon) of Mount Pleasant, SC, Caitlin Oliver of Lumberton, NC, Elliott Leonard of Charlotte, NC, Graham Leonard of Raleigh, NC, Meredith Oliver of Wilmington, NC, Christin Oliver of Raleigh, NC and Cole Oliver of Lumberton, NC.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home 425 West Pennsylvania Ave, Southern Pines. The funeral will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church Southern Pines. The burial will conclude at Meadowbrook Cemetery in Lumberton, North Carolina.
Memorials may be made to First Health Hospice & Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Way, Pinehurst, NC 28374 or First Baptist Church, 200 East New York Ave, Southern Pines, NC 28387
Online condolences may be left at www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
