Carrilee Coble Long, 92, of Mathews, Va., glided into eternal peace with her heavenly Father on Friday, June 12, 2015.

She was born in Oakboro, N.C., on July 12, 1922. After graduating from Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C., in 1943 with a degree in education, she taught sixth grade and some music for 33 years. Carrilee was a very special lady—Christian, N.C. school teacher, joyous personality, church pianist until age of 90, artistic pianist (she had the talent to jazz up music and make it more fun), a devoted and generous parent and grandparent until the end, a card and letter writer always, had a never-give-up attitude—just “push-on through.”

Known as the Hat Lady, she ALWAYS wore a hat to church and most everywhere else. She remained upbeat and positive until the end. Though she struggled during the last eight months, she did so valiantly. After spending 16 days in the care of Hospice the Lord took her home. She was tough beyond compare—so said Hospice. May we strive to live up to her example for living. She was outgoing and very involved wherever she lived, given that she was a member of garden clubs, bridge clubs, the Woman’s Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, church choir, performed with the community theaters including playing the female lead in “Send Me No Flowers,” and the Mathews Music Study Club and the Mathews Red Hatters.

Carrilee was a member of Westville Christian Church where she played the piano for Sunday services for several years.

She was preceded in death by her father, John “Giff” Coble; mother, Emma Coble Hinson; stepfather, Talmadge Hinson; husband, James Edward Long; son, Edward Coble Long, and daughter, Elaine Long Berry.

She is survived by her dearly devoted family: son, William Long (Kristina) and daughter, Anne Long of Mathews; granddaughters, Lindsey Long (fiancé, David Parker) of Washington, D.C., Chandler L. Rogers (Matt) of Mathews, and Meredith L. Sherman (Greg) of Virginia Beach.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2015, at Westville Christian Church, 261 Main Street, Mathews (beside Mathews Memorial Library), with the Rev. Timothy Dice officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nellie Callis Scholarship Fund, c/o Westville Christian Church, P.O. Box 496, Mathews, Va. 23109 or to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 723, Mathews, Va. 23109.

Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews, is in charge of the arrangements.