Linda Hess Long, age 87, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026, in Panama City Beach, Florida, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born July 20, 1938, in Lynchburg, Virginia, to Thomas Clifton Davis and Ruby Bryant Davis. She graduated from Bay High School in 1956 while also working at an ice cream store on Harrison Avenue, so she could afford to buy her dream car, a ‘57 red Chevy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Clifton Davis and Ruby Bryant Davis; her husbands, Donald Clell Hess and Don John Long; her son, Mark Hess; her daughter-in-law, Laura; her brothers, Ronnie Davis and Herb Davis; and her grandson, Corey Hardy.

She is survived by her sister: Bettie Jones; her children, Scott Hess, Valerie Barnett (David), and Terri Jordan (David) and daughter-in-law Julie Hess; her grandchildren, James, Brian, Trevor, Cameron, Andrew, Christopher, Justin, Melissa, Ethan, Nick, and Hannah; and her great-grandchildren, Makenzie, Audry, Chance, Tanner, Jason, Mason, Zoë, Ally, Lyla, Lorelei, Leighton, Elizabeth, and Clint.

Linda was married to Donald Clell Hess in 1959. While working at Tyndall Air Force Base as a secretary, she met Donald when he stopped to chat at her desk. He was in his fatigues on this day, but the very next day, he showed up in his dress blues and the rest was history. They were married three months later and remained married for 33 years until his death in 1992.

Linda was later married to Don John Long from Ontario, Canada and enjoyed living on Jack Lake, except for the bears, “way too many bears,” she said.

She worked hard for her family for many years, working side by side with her husband Donald Clell Hess, running their retail stores and motel. She retired in 2001.

She was a member for years at Gulf Beach Baptist Church and attended the Rosebud Sunday School class. She worked in the food pantry each week and helped with numerous church outreach programs. She always had a sweet smile and a generous spirit.

She enjoyed cross-stitching, crossword puzzles, reading, and watching the Hallmark Channel—especially Christmas movies and When Calls the Heart. But her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was known as our, “Mom, Momma, Ma-Ma and Grandma.” She will be dearly missed by us all.

We would like to thank all of her wonderful caregivers, Dr. Tony McClung, Dr. Christopher Johnson, her nurses Melinda, Diana and Kristen. We owe a special thank you to our neighbor nurse, Cathy Stephenson and our dear family nurse, Kayla Hess.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at The Church at the Beach, 10620 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach, FL. with Pastors Gregory George and Jay Powell officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Linda’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.