Margaret Peterson Long was born on February 9, 1937, in Valdosta, Georgia to the late Mr. Joseph Cox, Jr. and Ms. Mae Retha Gardner Coley. She attended Pinevale School in Valdosta, GA. At the age of 18, she moved to Tampa, Florida, making it her permanent residence. With her radiant smile and beauty, she touched the lives of so many people across the world. She was a model, an Eastern Star, a servant, a role model, and an Educator of life. Her talk aligned up with her walk. She retired from Hillsborough County Public Schools Transportation department, where she served for 33 years as a Bus Driver.

She served faithful at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church for over 50 years under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. C. P. Epps working in numerous ministries from: Sunday School teacher, Financial and Kitchen Committee, Sr. Women, Pastor Aide and Transportation ministry, Deaconess board and Usher board, and Director over the Youth Choir. She was a current member of New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist, under the leadership of Pastor Larry Roundtree II.

She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Joseph Cox, Sr., and Sara Cox ; father, Joseph Cox, Jr.; maternal grandparents, Willie Gardner and Anna Williams Gardner; mother, Mae Retha Coley; sisters, Thelma Rhodes and Margie Price; son, Freddie Roberts, Sr. and goddaughter, LaShawn Wilson-Likourgos.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband, Oscar Long; children, Gloria Williams, Carlton Roberts, Zackary Roberts (Tammie), Jeffrey Roberts (LaMesha), Jennifer Cliatt (Archie), LaTonya Riley, Shirley Roberts, Linda Long, Charles (Donita), Patrick Long, DeLisa Long, and Charlena Hartsfield (Donald); grandchildren, Bridget Tarver (Trenikeya), Freddie Roberts, Jr., Margo Franklyn (Kisho), Rochelle Phillips (Keith), Marilyn Shaw, Zackary James, Antonio James (Danielle), Margaret Roberts, April Pringle (Robert), Ray Reed (Shantell), Patricia Gresham (Bobby), Arielle James, Carlton Roberts, Michael Hudgins, Jr. (Keisha), Jessica Brown (Lance), Alexandra Roberts, Marquis Wright, De’Anna Johnson-Roberts, Felecia Cohen (Timothy), Bonita Johnson, Sonja Stewart, Mikael Polite, Ciara Exantus (Wilson), Alexandria Scott, Michael Warren, Noah Washington, Eric Cliatt and L’Oreal and LorIn Likourgos; great grandchildren: Jennifer Migues, Samuel Edwards, Ganea Brown, Alexis Conway, Myles Riley, London Brown, Kayla Franklyn, Michael Hudgins, III, Imarii Lathan, Isabella Sendejas, Indigo, Yuri and Jah Phillips, Caleb McLeod, Zoe and Joslyn Hobdy, Zayreaa James, Amari and Alexis Gibbs, Aryana, Austin, Cierra and Kayla James, Viktoria, Jalen and Olivia Pringle, Zavielle Coleman, Riyauhna Thomas, Ra Khem, Nuari and Ausar Tehuti, Marquis Wright, Jr., Randall Johnson, Timecia Cohen, Raymelo and Jayan Reid and J’Amaru Gibson;great great-grandchildren, Trent Jr., Triniti and Tristian Migues, Anais Manning, Jeremiah Conway, Jasani Rogers, River Gulsby, Sylince and Syleena Tehuti; special niece/nephew, Patricia Woods (Billy), JC Gardner, Faye, Carolyn, Adrian Rhodes and Bernard Gardner (Claudia), Tanya Jerry, Carolyn Shields, Carolyn Wright, Rhonda Wright (Roosevelt), Cynthia Peterson, Rodney Peterson (Sharon), Kevin Roberts, Grayling Roberts, Gloria Spellen (Raymond), Tia Battles (Greg), Sherri Daniels (Bernard) and Carla Bauknight (Cedric); godchildren: James Neal, Sr., (Karen), David McDougald (Sheryl), Timothy Daymond, Joeni Kirkland (Kevin), Michael Williams, Joe Williams (Bertha), Wanda Benson, Bobby Ray, Earl Mason (Peggy), Annette Gibson (David), Marva Green, Patricia Hauser, Everett Lawson (Linda), Cheryl Smith, Krista Harris; special friends and extended family, Deacon Frank Campbell, Linda Hodges, Doris Wilson, Hattie Stribling Wilson, Betty Neal, Leola Borders, Sara Marshall, Betty Graves, Lucille Smith, Betty Hicks, Barbara Jones (Bo), Cynthia Lester, Mary Priester (Bobby), Cheryl Davis, Morrison Burton, Mary Roberts, Katherine Flannigan, Dorothy White, Althea Wynn, Sherrell Shedrick, Donna Russell, Karlief Livingston, Raymond Holmes, Jr., the Yes You Can Women Fellowship and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Home going service for Sister Margaret Peterson Long will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 11:00 A M at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church 4008 Rev. Dr. C. P Epps Drive, Tampa, Florida. Burial will follow in the Rest Haven Memorial Park 4615 E. Hanna Ave., Tampa, Florida.

Blessings