A Celebration of Ella R. "Sissy" May Long's life was held on May 31st, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. To 2:00 p.m., at Historical St. Raymond’s Church and Old School House, 6600 Donlon Way, Dublin, CA. The service was under the direction of Callaghan Mortuary & Livermore Crematory, Livermore, Calif.
She was born in Jesse, Oklahoma to Rayford and Katie May on November 3, 1934 and passed away on April 7, 2014 at the age of 79. Ella was one of their seven children. She was a resident of Livermore.
Ella was affectionately known as “Sissy” by her family and close friends. She will be remembered for her laughter, style, impeccable sewing skills, her gift for gab, and her love of basketball.
Ella attended Stonewall High School, where she played the point guard position for the Stonewall Longhorns girls basketball team. This is where she was given the name “Shorty May” by her teammates. After high school, Ella moved to California with her sister where she established herself and worked for many years as an office manager for insurance agencies before retiring. Ella was an avid and skilled seamstress and loved to read. Her passions included visiting family throughout the country. She also loved to spend many hours on the phone, chatting to family and friends. Ella loved traveling the world with her husband, Phil, and spending time at “the cabin” in the gold country.
Survivors include her daughters Mary Coulson and her husband; Robert, Debra Matchette and her husband; Raymond; her grandchildren Jonathan and Sarah Coulson, Yvette and Tony Matchette; her great-grandchildren Anthony, Ajah, Sydney, and Annamarie Matchette; her sisters Valine Miller and Delcie Miller; her brother Freddie May; her sister-in-laws Sharon Long and Marilyn Cate; and numerous other family members.
Ella was preceded in death by her husband, Phil Long; her son, Alan James; her sisters Leona Miller and Lacrecia Loyer; and her brother Pete May.f flowers, Donations were made in Ella’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.
