Donald B Long

In Loving Memory of Donald Berry Long

November 20, 1937 – October 27, 2026

Faithful Servant, Devoted Husband, Proud Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and a True West Texas Original

Donald Berry Long, 88, of Big Spring, Texas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in the same West Texas community where his story began on November 20, 1937.

A celebration of Donnie’s life will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in Big Spring Texas on November 3, 2026, at 11:00am, with David Nowell and Scott Kirkland officiating. Burial will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.  Donnie will lie in state at Nalley Pickle & Welch Funeral Home on November 2, 2026, from 9:00am to 9:00pm and the family will be holding visitation from 6:00pm to 8:00pm during this time.

Donald (“Donnie”) lived a full and blessed life built on three things he held dear: faith in God, love of family, and the value of a hard day’s work. And if there was time left over, he was always willing to enjoy a round of golf, a fishing trip, a good game, or a little time at Possum Kingdom Lake.

Born to Elbert Henry Long and Mildred Louise Broughton Long Denton, Donnie was raised with the values that would guide him throughout his life: honesty, perseverance, loyalty, and the understanding that a man’s word ought to mean something.

On August 23, 1958, Donnie married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Newton, at Prairie View Baptist Church in Big Spring. Their marriage of more than 68 years became the foundation of a family that would grow far beyond what either of them could have imagined on their wedding day. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, hard work, and enough children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to make remembering everyone’s birthdays a full-time occupation.

Donnie spent much of his life working the land and serving the cotton industry of West Texas. He farmed from 1958 until 1988, owned and operated Long Gin Company from 1973 to 1979, and later managed Farmers Cooperative Gin in Stanton from 1991 until his retirement in 2002.

His knowledge, leadership, and commitment to the agricultural community extended well beyond his daily work. He served on the PCCA Delegate Body, the advisory board and manager of Farmers Cooperative Gin in Stanton, and the board of Rolling Plains Cooperative Compress.

Donnie understood farming in West Texas required equal measures of faith, determination, patience, and occasionally a sense of humor when the weather refused to cooperate. He knew there were some things a man could control and others best left in the hands of the Lord.

While Donnie took his work seriously, he also knew life was meant to be enjoyed. He loved golfing, fishing, hunting, playing games, spending time with friends, and making memories at Possum Kingdom Lake. Whether enjoying friendly competition or simply sitting among family and friends, Donnie appreciated the fellowship as much as the activity itself. And like most good competitors, he undoubtedly understood that winning was enjoyable, but having someone else to blame for losing could be just as entertaining.

Above all else, Donnie was a man of deep Christian faith.

At the age of 15, while visiting the home of his beloved Uncle Buster and Aunt Theda Broughton, Donnie experienced the most important turning point of his life. During a visit from Ted Phillips and Roy Fish, Donnie, along with his family members present, accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They were later baptized at Prairie View Baptist Church.

That decision shaped the remainder of his life.

Donnie faithfully served as a deacon at Prairie View Baptist Church and was later a member of Trinity Baptist Church. His faith was not simply something he spoke about on Sundays; it was the foundation upon which he built his marriage, raised his family, conducted his business, and faced life’s challenges.

He believed in the promises of Scripture, particularly Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Donnie was a proud father to his two sons, Jimmie and Rickie. And in keeping with the family’s well-established sense of humor, Rickie is officially listed in the family records as Donnie’s “favorite son.” Jimmie, of course, may have a slightly different interpretation of that distinction, and the family suspects this debate will continue for generations.

But the truth is, Donnie’s greatest pride was never measured by possessions, accomplishments, or titles. It was found in the family he and Shirley built together.

His legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the countless memories they share. From family gatherings and holiday celebrations to hunting trips, fishing stories, and friendly competition, Donnie helped create a family history filled with love, laughter, and traditions that will carry forward for generations.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Henry Long and Mildred Louise Broughton Long Denton; his brother, Elbert Milton Long; his daughter-in-law, Tamela Kay Long; his granddaughter, Tiffany Ashley Long; his father and mother-in-law, Emsey (Pug) Marion Newton and Chloie Lee Newton; his sisters-in-law, Monohn Holly Long, Gail Newton; his brothers-in-law, Marion Newton Jr., Lonnie Lee Newton; his uncle and aunt, JW (Buster) Broughton and Theda Broughton and other beloved members of his extended family.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Shirley Ann Newton Long; his sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmie and Carrla Long, and Rickie and Stacey Long.

He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren and their spouses: Brad Long; Amber and Beau Chapman; Kyle and Rachel Long; Courtney and Bryce Samsel; Brittney Pinkerton; Chase and Lindsey Pinkerton; Austin and Brooke League; Caleb and Caroline Long; Hunter League; Cameron and Amanda Long; and Caegan and Vanessa Long.

His legacy continues through 22 cherished great-grandchildren: Rylee, Creigan, and Bryer Samsel; Kadence and Sloan Chapman; Caden, Riley, Avery, Parker, Harrison, Houston, Katherine, Henry, Elizabeth, Holland, and Silas Long; Leah, Eden, Abigail, Luke, and Hannah Pinkerton; and Kit League.

He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Harrell Newton; sisters-in-law, Darlene Newton, Sherry Newton, and Diana Newton; and an abundance of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and treasured friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brad Long, Kyle Long, Caleb Long, Cameron Long, Caegan Long, and Robert Moore.

Honorary pallbearers will be Beau Chapman, Chase Pinkerton, Bryce Samsel, Austin League, and Hunter League.

The service will include some of the great hymns of Christian faith that reflect Donnie’s life and his hope in Christ: Because He Lives, What a Day That Will Be, It Is Well with My Soul and Redeemed.

For those who knew Donnie, his passing leaves an empty chair at the family table, a missing voice in conversation, and one less competitor at the next family game. But it also leaves an extraordinary legacy of faith, perseverance, love, and memories that death cannot take away.

Donnie lived through changing times, changing seasons, good crops and bad, victories and disappointments. Through it all, he remained grounded in the things that mattered most.

He was a farmer who understood the land, a businessman who valued his word, a husband who cherished his wife, a father who loved his sons, and a grandfather and great-grandfather whose greatest harvest was the family he leaves behind.

And while those who loved him will miss his presence, they can take comfort in knowing that Donnie has completed his earthly journey and received the promise in which he placed his faith so many years ago.

The fields have been worked. The harvest is complete. The final round has been played. And the Lord has called His faithful servant home.

We can almost imagine Donnie arriving in Heaven, looking around at the beauty of it all, and perhaps asking whether there is a good fishing hole or golf course nearby.

But more importantly, we know he looked forward to hearing the words every faithful Christian longs to hear:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:21

Donald Berry Long lived a life worth celebrating, built a family worth being proud of, and leaves a legacy worth remembering.

Rest well, Donnie. Your work here is done, and your greatest reward has just begun.

Donations in lieu of flowers to:

Hope Institute https://hopeforovc.org/ or Trinity Baptist Church (Missions) Big Spring, TX https://tbcbigspring.com/

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