Carolyn J. Long

Carolyn J. Long (Flag)

Carolyn Jane Long, 56, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

Carolyn, the daughter of Jesse and Martha (Lund) Bradshaw, was born Oct. 27, 1961 in Galesburg, Ill. On Aug. 31, 1999 she retired with the rank of Master Sergeant after proudly serving 20 years in the US Air Force. Carolyn later worked at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, where she loved serving the veterans in her job. She retired on Sept. 15, 2017. Carolyn was an active member of the American Legion Post 153 in Poplar Bluff. She enjoyed her dogs, movies, Blues music and traveling while in the military.

In addition to her parents Jesse and Martha Bradshaw, Carolyn is survived by her fiancé Phillip Barker of Poplar Bluff; three sisters, Susan Perez of Canton, Ill., Cathy (Terry) Lindsey of Athens, Ill and Evelyn (Keith) Hicks of Essex; a brother, Jay Bradshaw of Ellsinore; six nieces and nephews, Jeff and Matthew Ashwood, Amanda and Megan Lindsey, Luke Patrick and Ashley and Ryan Hicks; and her many friends at the American Legion Post.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. A graveside service with full military honors will follow at 1 p.m. Monday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with the Rev. Bill Orr officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.