SHARON DIANE LONG
Sharon Diane Long, age 72 of Centerville, Iowa passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2026, at her home under the care of EveryStep Hospice.
Sharon was born on August 26, 1953, in Kirksville, Missouri, to Vernie and Willa Dean (Ruggles) Moss. She grew up in Medil, Missouri, and the rural parts of Putnam County. Sharon was a hard worker and took pride in providing for her family. She held many jobs throughout the years, with some of them including working at the McGraw-Edison Plant, being a stay-at-home mom, and an office manager for Premium Standard Farms. She retired from Kirksville Area Career Technical Center, where she worked as a secretary for the adult and community education programs.
Sharon will be remembered for her devotion to her children, Gayla, Bradley, and Sara, and her later-in-life happiness with her husband, Dennis, on July 11, 2015. Their love for each other was evident in the way they took care of each other, their commitment to their love, and in building a happy life together.
Taking care of others was a strong passion for Sharon. She never met a stranger, and if she did, they weren’t strangers for long. She loved being outside, taking care of her flowers and yard, working in her garden, and riding horses. Sharon also enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends, but most importantly, she loved being with her family. She spent many weekends visiting with her sisters and rarely missed her grandsons’ ballgames or activities. Her daughters will forever treasure the vacations they took together, the shopping trips, holidays, and all the small moments they shared with their mother.
Sharon had a servant heart and spent many hours volunteering her time to help others. She faithfully volunteered for various jobs at Vacation Bible School and as an Awana secretary. She also worked in the kitchen at the Chariton Hills Rodeo Bible Camp and Cowboy Church. Sharon was a member of the Green City First Baptist Church until she moved to Iowa. Then she became a member of the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene. Sharon cherished both church families. She was a very active member of her church and shared her faith with others with great pride.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Dennis Long; daughters, Gayla (Scott) Whitworth and Sara McCormack; grandchildren, Colton (Samantha) Whitworth, Jaxon (Caden) Whitworth, Bentley McCormack; great grandchildren, Allison, Noah, and Gabby; sisters, Cheryl Oliver, Judy McCarty, Jeanie Kincannon, Debbie Jacobs; brother, Roger Moss, along with other extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Bradley E.A. Tuttle; brother, Ronnie Moss; brother-in-law, John McCarty; and nephew, Joel McCarty.
Sharon was an intentional, dear friend and beloved by so many. She will be dearly missed.
Funeral services was held at 1:00 PM, Monday, March 9, 2026, at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa. Burial followed at Salem Cemetery in Udell, Iowa. Visitation was held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, with the family greeting friends from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM.
Memorials may be written to either Furever Friends or Chariton Hills Rodeo Bible Camp and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Long Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/ thomasfuneralhome.
