Irene Long

Spartanburg, SC- Irene Long, 92, wife of James Arthur Long, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Born November 28, 1930 in Spartanburg, SC, Irene was a daughter of the late Arthur Lee Gregory and Evelyn Lucile Deason Gregory. She was a valued bookkeeper with Community Cash for many years before her retirement. Irene was a longtime member of Ben Avon Baptist Church where she was a devoted choir member and Sunday school teacher.

Irene was known by all to be sweet, selfless, humble, kind, and caring. She had a big heart full of love for all aspects of her life. Irene loved everyone and everyone loved her in return. She kept a positive attitude, and wanted everyone around her to do the same. Irene was a devout Christian who believed in God, first, and family next. She prayed the sweetest prayers and thoroughly loved singing with a beautiful smile in her choir at church. Irene loved to cook for her deeply loved family, and welcoming visitors to her home. Irene had a great sense of humor and enjoyed joking around with others. Her other passion was the board game Parcheesi, that her Daddy taught her as a child, which carried over into adulthood. Irene enjoyed taking vacations, day trips, picnics and especially liked going to the beach and mountains. Irene went on several Christian tours with her second husband. Music was another passion, and she went to a lot of concerts with her family. Irene enjoyed dancing to big band music with her first husband. She also enjoyed playing piano and harp music. Later on, Irene enjoyed dancing to polka music daily through the house. She loved red roses, birds, butterflies, eating sweets, and collecting her pig figurines. 

She’s deeply missed already by so many.  We know because of her decision to accept Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior, when she closed her eyes in death she was transported to Heaven. She’s perfect now, in body, mind, and spirit.

In addition to her husband, James, she is survived by her son, Jim Nicholls (Denise) of Inman, SC; her daughters, Renie N. Moreton (John) and Anna Marie Nicholls (Jason Smith) both of Moore, SC; grandchildren, Josh, Rebecca, and Joseph; great grandchildren, Savannah and Alex; and a sister, Dorothy Burns.

Irene was predeceased by her former husband, James Nicholls; a son, Eddie Nicholls; a daughter, Marian Humphries; and four siblings.

A visitation will be held Monday, April 24^th, 2-3PM at Dunbar Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow in the Chapel at 3:00PM. The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/dunbarlivestream beginning at 3:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to MADD at www.MADD.org or to The Gideons International at www.Gideons.org/donate