Mattie Cleazell Cobb Long was indeed a precious gift from God to Houston and Nazareth (Carter) Cobb on January 29. 1933. She followed an older sister and four brothers who greatly influenced her development as a farm girl who" could do anything." In the eastern Colbert County, Leighton area community known as Bethel, Cleazell learned many fundamental principles that would guide her through life. Deep religious faith, love of family, honesty, good morals, and a strong work ethic were foremost in her home and firmly anchored in their service in Bethel Colbert Baptist Church.

Mattie Cleazell named for her paternal grandmother, grew up using her middle name. She attended Bethel Community school and graduated from Leighton Training School in 1950. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart. Harry Long, Jr. and moved to Denver, Colorado where he was stationed in the military. They became the parents of three daughters and the mentors/ nurturers of many relatives who migrated to the Denver area. Cleazell also established a cleaning business which She managed with efficiency and pride.

In 1957, Mattie Cleazell followed Biblical commandments and affiliated with the Church of Christ. As a devout member of the East Denver congregation, she devoted her time, talent, and worship of our Lord for 65 years.

Cleazall's love for and support of her children were without bounds! It was genuine and gentle, deep, and dedicated yet disciplined and delightful. She encouraged every child to excel educationally according to their individual talents. She fully supported every child's activity by providing whatever was needed toward their success. Countless miles were travelled as she drove them to their numerous events. She always kept her children well connected to their Alabama roots and family via telephone conversations and occasional visits. She fostered their knowledge of their historic legacy by recollections of stories and reflections of persons. She and her sister, Tracien, had daily telephone chats.

On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, God's gift of Mattie Cleazell Cobb Long was returned to HIM. She peacefully died at 9:54pm at Aurora South Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.

She will be remembered as a kind, loving, generous lady with a sterling character and a distinctive personality. Her keen wit kept others smiling and happy. She brought joy, security and most of all UNCONDITIONAL LOVE to everyone. May her soul rest in peace.

She is preceded in death by her parents, former husband, siblings- Tracien, Leo, Ernest and Carl and special cousins, Connie Lee Cobb, and Patricia Turner.

Left to cherish her memory and emulate her life are her daughters: Charlene Long, Jennifer Yvette Veals-Gilbert ( David Gilbert) and Kimberly Gracey (Don Gracey ); grandchildren-Tamara Thompson (Mono Thompson), Anthony Long, Shanelle Watts, Karmen Brown, Joseph Veals, Michael Veals (Tenisha Veals), Khrystian Veals, George Long, Veronica Marshall, Natasha Borland (Josh Borland); great grandchildren-Anthony Long, Tia Thompson, Raymond Brown, Oliver Brown, Darius Veals, Javon Veals, Mekhi Veals, Brooklyn Veals, Nova Veals, Aanna Long, Kaleia Long, Odin Long, Lamar Marshall, Amiyah Marshall, Sky Avila, Harlynn Borland, Adonis Borland, Mattie Borland; her brothers-Huston Cobb, Jr and Willie(Wilbie)Cobb; sisters-in-law- Nazarine Cobb and Anita Cobb and a host of nieces, nephews , cousins and friends.

Safely Home


I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright.
There is a perfect joy and beauty
in this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
safely home in heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh, but Jesus' love illuminated
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
in the way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on
could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
for I love you dearly still.
Try to look beyond death's shadows;
Pray to trust our Father's will.

There is work still waiting for you,
so you must not idly stand.
Do it now, while life remaineth;
you shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting;
Oh, the joy to see you come!