Doris Long

On Monday March 4, 2019, Doris Long made her transition from Earth to Glory.

Doris was affectionately known as “Big Dee”, was born on November the 26, 1945 to the late William Moody Sr. and Viola Moses Moody in Marion South Carolina.

She was one of four children, [all of which preceded her in death], Sallie Mae Johnson, Christina Williams and William Moody.

Doris, raised in the era where children were being raised by the village, believed in tactics, where respect was paramount. She collaborated with her two God sisters, who also preceded her in death. Together they were known as (Three the Hard way), Theresa Joyner, known as Nita, Shirley Sims, known as Shirley Girl who were closer than blood sisters, policed the community and kept the neighborhood young folks in check. Being so concerned about the wellbeing of all, nothing got past them.

Doris was educated in the Philadelphia School System and Graduated from Southern High.

As Doris set out, to start her life of earning her own income she worked in various fields. She started with Mary Ross childcare services, and elevated herself with the thought that, nothing is better than working an honest day of work for an honest day of pay. She had pride for being self-sufficient.

Doris was mentored by the late Louise Brookins as she volunteered for Philadelphia Welfare Rights, which morphed into an office manager position with Philadelphia Welfare Pride for over 25 years. Doris’ installation with both organizations lasted over 40 years.

Doris’ DNA leaked love and care for everyone she met. She worked as hard at her desk, as she did go about her daily life. She was well respected by The Pennsylvania Welfare Department for many years before it became The Department of Human Services, where she had personal relationships with Case Workers, many of who she counted as friends. Doris was an integral part of the office puzzle, and she leaves a huge gap that cannot be filled, like her daughter Yvette Long, who predeceased her. When Doris worked a case, she called in favors and never stopped until her client received every benefit they were entitled to. A lot of her clients answered with beautiful thank you notes/cards, flowers and they lunched with her. Doris worked so tirelessly that during her illness and stays at hospital and rehab facilities, she was claiming patients there as clients and working their cases from her bed and discussing it with staff that came to visit. Doris would often have her granddaughters at the office, and the joke was, she was grooming them for the next generation of case workers. We often had office discussions about America’s poor and what our purpose was. Doris advocated for thousands over her lifetime.

Big Dee was the life of the party, and never took a drink of alcohol, nor smoked. As for her hobbies, she liked to dance, skate, swim and she was an excellent cook. She had her own style and would wear lots of jewelry and often change her unique hairstyle. Her BIG personality will be missed by many.

She was a great sister, mother grandmother, mentor and advocate...

Doris leaves to mourn her children; Paula, Darnell, Debbie, Jerry/Marie, Lisa, Gena/Greg, Sonia, James, Shay/Keyon, Tasha/Sunny and Randal/Emily, 15 grandchildren, 20 grandchildren. Godson Louis Merchant, she also leaves 3 dear best friends, Maybell Fisher, Emma Hernandez and Mrs. Ann Davis, and a host of Nieces, Nephews and Cousins

With a variety of Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.