Linda Kay (Usrey) Long June 12, 1944 ~ March 25, 2024 (age 79)

Funeral services for Linda Kay Long, 79, of Portales will be held at 10:00 AM, Thurs., Mar. 28, 2024 in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Vito Monteblanco officiating.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery.  Her nephews will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Linda Kay Long was born June 12, 1944 in Portales to the home of Othelle (Davis) and Doyle Usrey, and died on Mar. 25, 2024 in Portales.  Linda was a 1962 graduate of Portales High School, where she played the French Horn in the school band.  Following graduation, she attended Eastern New Mexico University, where she earned both her Bachelor’s degree as well as her Master’s in English.  Through her working career she taught at both Marshall Junior High and Clovis High School.  She also taught in the Elida High School, as well as at both Eastern New Mexico University and Clovis Community College. Besides her public education career, Linda had also taught Adult Education classes for the Chamber of Commerce.  She had even worked at the Re-Integration Center for a period of time.  In addition, Linda was an accomplished writer, and for many years wrote for the Portales News Tribune.  She also had numerous articles that had been published in various magazines, and been several awards for her writing skills.

Linda enjoyed crocheting, and had made many beautiful items.  Camping with the Shearer family was a highlight for her.  She also enjoyed dancing, but her favorite activity was to do virtually anything with her grandchildren and her nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her two sons, Scott Long and his companion, Mikki Wade and Curtis Long and his wife, Gaylinda both of Portales; five grandchildren, Megan Long Manasco and her husband, James; Sarah Long and her husband, Joshua Longley, Kasye Long and her husband, Ross Steadman, Drake Long and his fiancé, Cali Walker, and Emma Long; two great-grandchildren, Tanner and Karyssa Manasco; a brother and sister-in-law, Rick and Dixie Usrey of Edgewood, NM and a sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Mark Bergman of Portales, NM.  She was preceded in death by both of her parents and a brother, Gene Usrey.

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