Wilma Faye Reed Long was born at Rollins Brook Hospital in Lampasas to George William Reed Sr. and Hazel Lee Hicks Reed on Aug. 11, 1936.
She died peacefully on Oct. 3, 2025, at the age of 89.
Faye will rest at Center Cemetery in Lometa, as she preferred no funeral service. Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel has charge of arrangements.
Faye attended school in Lometa and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1954.
She continued her education, receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business education from Texas Woman’s University in Denton. She also completed her Mid-Management Certification from Texas Woman’s University and the University of Texas at Tyler.
While in college, she met and married the love of her life, Joe Gayle Long. They were married for 53 years and had one son, Garry Wayne Long.
Faye began her teaching career in 1963 at Dell City ISD, and the next year she taught at the Navajo Indian Reservation in Tuba City, Arizona.
Returning to Texas, she started teaching for Killeen ISD and retired in 2008 after 44 years.
She was an active member and held several offices with the Killeen chapter of Order of the Eastern Star.
Faye was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Long; son, Garry Long; brothers Tom Reed and George Reed Jr.; brothers-in-law James Briggs and Don Long; and nieces Marcia Briggs and Lori Long.
Survivors include her sister, Dorothy Briggs; nephews Trey Reed and Donny Long; nieces Sharlyn Brown and Dana Cox; sistersin- law Janis Reed and Linda Long; and many friends.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
