Mr. Ben Long, affectionately known as "Bennie Man," "Mr. Kool," "Mr. Chocolate," and "Pops," was the Patriarch of the Long Family. He was born in Lynch, Kentucky to Eddie Long and Annie Mae Robinson Long on April 27, 1940. He passed away January 25, 2015.

He was elected as the Patriarch of the family at the annual family reunion held in St. Louis in 2009. He received a plaque in his honor because of his constant efforts to keep the family together through phone calls, visits, cards, events, etc. He and his sister Carrie Douglas led the Mardi Gras March in 2013 at the reunion held in Jeanerette, LA.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Henry, Ed, George, Coy and Roy, and Arnold and Donald Long; and his brother-in-law, Kermit Piggott.

He is survived by his wife, Felecia Piggott- Long, PhD. of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; eight children, Linda (Robert) Aiken of Richmond, VA, Ben (Eleanor) Long, Jr. of Bronx, NY, Mary Kelly of Philadelphia, PA, Benetta Williams, Micheal (Deborah) Long, and Shelia Long of Cleveland, OH, Marlin Long and Reynita McMillan of the city; he was formerly married to Shirley Garner, the mother of his first six children; his sister, Carrie (Eugene) Douglas; fifty grandchildren and great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Mae Clarida Piggott; brothers-in-law, Benjamin Piggott and Ronald Pickens; sister-in-law, Marcia Piggott; and niece, Asha Piggott all of the city; his life has been enriched by the love of extended family members such as Daniel Hughley, Linda Perry, Ron (Gloria) Wallace, Thomie (Thelma) Walker, Brent Kirven, Adolph (Diane) Johns, the late David Sanders and his wife Marion Sanders, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cain, Humes Perry, James "Boobie" (Claudia Mae) Perry, Armon "B-Walt, Buddy"(Gerri) Anderson, Edgar Moss, Deacon Webb and Robin Mims who volunteered with him as a church cook at Emmanuel for many years.

Reared in the coal mining camp of Lynch Kentucky, Ben graduated from the Lynch Colored School. Ben and his classmates purchased this school and turned it into a cultural center, where they have events at various times. He recalls that several African American celebrities came through Kentucky and performed at the colored school, including James Brown, Cab Calloway, and The Temptations.

Mr. Long earned his African name, Sedjro Kwaku Abahoumba (Will of Destiny, Born on Wednesday, Search, Search and Get) in September of 2010 when he and his wife Felecia, his daughter Reynita, and niece Asha Piggott studied African Rites of Passage with Okomfo and Nanahene, Kwabena F. Ashanti, PH. D., professor at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. Following their year of study, they were honored at the Maafa celebration held at the International Civil Rights Museum in February of 2011 in Greensboro, NC. The African Naming Ceremony was held at Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church in Happy Hill Gardens, the oldest, liberated African American community in North Carolina.

He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC, and he was proud of his pastor, The Rev. Dr. John (Sarah) Mendez. At EBC Long served as an usher and a church cook, until his health declined. He also served for many years as a deacon at Morning Star Baptist Church in Cleveland, OH before relocating to Winston-Salem.

He and his former wife, Billie Taylor Long, loved bowling and won many trophies in various leagues before her untimely death in 2001. He donated many of these trophies to be revamped for youth awards in academics. He was the owner of Ben Long's Kentucky Barbecue and Soul Food, a catering service he and his wife operated together. He was famous for his ribs, chicken and fish at Kwanzaa and other community events. He was honored by the City-Wide Kwanzaa Committee and the Triad Cultural Arts, Inc. for establishing a successful business venture and promoting entrepreneurship in the African American community in 2007. He received this award at the William C. Sims Recreation Center from the Center Supervisor Ben Piggott. He and his wife Felecia have catered for various affairs in the community. He retired from ServiceMaster in Cleveland, OH, and from Baptist Hospital where he served as a manager for many years.

He loved gospel music, the blues, jazz, and R and B' and he loved to glide across the floor like James Brown. He was a strong supporter of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company. He was a member of the Marvtastic Society and the Theatre Guild Board. He was a regular volunteer at the National Black Theatre Festival where he enjoyed attending plays and meeting the stars of stage and screen. His best friend was Dan Hughley, a local businessman.
They encouraged each other to develop their talents in construction, renovation of houses, and other skills. They are family men who are honored elders of the local community.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Monday, February 2, 2015 at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Rev. Ann Dalton officiating. Entombment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 12noon on Monday at the Church.