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OBITUARIES

The Rev. Girard 'Jerry' Francis Long

The Rev. Girard 'Jerry' Francis Long, 57, executive director of Pastoral Counseling Services of Maryland and a Deacon in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died from leukemia March 18, which was diagnosed in the fall of 2003. Bishop John R. Schol, the Revs. Mamie Williams, Lee Ferrell, Kenneth Lyons Jr., Andrea Titcomb and Susan Hallager participated in the service, held at Severna Park UMC March 22.

For the past 20 years, Long was clinical director with Pastoral Counseling Services of Maryland, and in 2001 became its executive director. Prior to that time he held pastorates at the Harper's Ferry Parish from 1973-1976, Glen Burnie from 1976-1981, and South Baltimore Charge from 1981 to 1985. He then served Alberta Gary Memorial UMC in Columbia until 1990.

His undergraduate degree in sociology was from Rhode Island College. He held a Master of Theology degree from Boston College, a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland and a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary. He was an active member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Long was raised in Riviera Beach and a favorite pastime was fishing on his 17-foot boat on the Severn or Magothy Rivers, the Chesapeake Bay or off Assateague Island. He graduated from Severn High School and was one of the team members who won the 1965 MSA State lacrosse championship.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Janet Handfield Long; daughters Chelsea Bahlman of Annapolis and Summer E. Long of Crofton; son Joshua Long of Crofton; and two grandsons.

Condolences may be sent to Janet Long, 2602 Barred Owl Way, Odenton, MD 21113.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 8600 LaSalle Road, Chester Building, Suite 314, Baltimore, MD 21286.

Eddie Bell Syas Walton

Eddie Bell Syas Walton, 75, wife of the Rev. Boyd Walton Jr., retired, died from a stroke at North Arundel Hospital March 25. The Rev. LaReesa Smith conducted a funeral service at Metropolitan UMC in Severn April 2.

Eddie Walton was a lifelong homemaker and excellent seamstress. She 'ministered to children all of her adult life,' said her husband of 52 years.

Her ministry included her work in the churches he served, the Hagerstown Charge from 1990-1995 and the Homestead-Strawbridge Parish from 1995 to 1998, when he retired. After retirement he served at St. Matthew UMC at Turner Station and Mt. Tabor UMC in Crownsville.

'Her proudest accomplishment was the organization of the Praise Dance Team at Strawbridge, ' Rev. Walton said.

Survivors include her husband and six children: Sherman G. Walton of Baltimore, Patricia A. Caesar of Temple Hills, Boyd Walton III of Baltimore, Valerie T. Walton of New Haven, Conn., David H. Walton of Odenton, and Carolyn J. Lynch of Crownsville; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Boyd Walton Jr, 94 W. Earleigh Heights Road, Severna Park, MD 21146-1121.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Metropolitan UMC, 548 Queenstown Road, Severn, MD 21144 or to the American Stroke Association, c/o the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, VA 23060.

The Rev. Edward Glenworth Wiggins

The Rev. Edward Glenworth Wiggins, 89, died March 30. The Rev. Michael Armstrong conducted a funeral service April 5, at McKendree-Simms-Brookland UMC, where Wiggins served from 1972 to 1979.

Wiggins was born and educated in Washington, D.C., the grandson of the Rev. Henson T. Simms who had a great influence over him. He began his Christian journey at Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church and when Simms Memorial Methodist Episcopal was founded in 1925, he became a member and stayed there throughout the next 80 years.

Wiggins began a 29-year career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1942. In 1944, he heard God saying, 'Go preach,' and he answered that call. He was ordained a Deacon, then an Elder, in the Washington Conference, part of the segregated Central Conference, under the episcopal leadership of the late Bishop Edgar A. Love. He served Simms Memorial and had appointments from 1956-1959 at the Fairfax-Langley Charge, 1960-1962 at Fairfax Church, and in 1963 to Woodstock Charge, all in the Virginia-Washington District.

After the merger of the Washington and Baltimore Conferences in 1965, Wiggins was appointed by the North Carolina-Virginia Conference to Strasburg Charge, then in 1966 returned to Simms Memorial as an associate. After McKendree, Simms and Brookland churches merged, the Baltimore-Washington Conference appointed him as an associate pastor to that church, where he remained. In 1980, the church feted him at a testimonial banquet to mark his retirement from active ministry.
Wiggins married Pearl Samuels in 1941 and they had five children. She died in 1984.

Survivors include daughters, Eileen E. Jenkins, Madeline L. 'Judy' Nowlin, Iris L. Hurdle of Upper Marlboro; sons Edward G. Wiggins Jr. and Karl A. Wiggins; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to Iris Hurdle, 12502 Mart Court, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.