Trina Long, Browns Summit Native and Beloved Community Pillar, Passes After Brave Cancer Fight
Browns Summit, NC — Trina Long, 48, passed away at her home in Browns Summit, N.C., after a year-long battle with stage‑4 pancreatic cancer. A deeply devoted wife, mother, educator, and community volunteer, Ms. Long died peacefully Thursday morning, surrounded by her family.
A Life Rooted in Service and Nurture
Born and raised just outside Greensboro, North Carolina, Trina Marie Long was known for her boundless compassion, sharp intellect, and unwavering generosity. A graduate of Northern Guilford High School, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she was recognized for her academic excellence and leadership.
Ms. Long began her career as a middle-school teacher in Guilford County Schools, where she inspired students with her magnetic energy and innovative approach to learning. Colleagues say she had “the rare ability to make each child feel uniquely seen and capable,” igniting curiosity and growth. Her classroom was often described as “a second home,” where difficult concepts were made accessible and every question was worth exploring.
Champion for Community Betterment
Beyond her classroom, Trina was relentlessly active in the local community. She spearheaded literacy campaigns at the Browns Summit Public Library, participated in school board forums, and volunteered with literacy outreach programs in neighboring communities. She believed education was a lever for equity, and her efforts helped expand access to after-school tutoring for underserved youth. Her leadership in community reading initiatives won her recognition from the Guilford County PTA and sparked similar programs statewide.
Family as Inspiration and Anchor
Trina’s family was at the core of her identity. Married to longtime partner David Long for twenty-five years, the couple shared a quiet devotion and partnership steeped in mutual respect. She was a guiding force behind family traditions—Sunday hikes, homemade pie nights, and crater-deep storytelling sessions.
Together they raised two children: Emily, 20, a sophomore at UNC‑Chapel Hill majoring in environmental science, and Joshua, 17, a high school senior and accomplished saxophonist. Trina was their unfailing supporter—at Emily’s campus visits, Joshua’s concerts, and countless milestones in between. Her daughter recalls, “Mom believed in me before I believed in myself. She made the world feel possible.”
The Final Year: Courage, Advocacy, Grace
Diagnosed at the advanced stage in spring 2024, Trina faced her illness with characteristic resolve. Despite the challenges of chemotherapy and frequent medical procedures, she continued to teach part-time, speak at cancer-support group meetings, and organize community fundraisers to benefit pancreatic cancer research and local support networks.
In May 2025, she led an online “Read‑for‑Hope” event that raised over $45,000 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, rallying dozens of schools and businesses in Guilford County. Through her social posts and interviews, Trina shared honest reflections on quality of life, the weight of uncertainty, and the small joys that persisted despite adversity.
A Legacy of Love and Learning
Trina Long leaves an indelible legacy—one built on empathy, education, advocacy, and steadfast love. She is survived by her husband David; her children Emily and Joshua; her parents, Susan and Michael Hart; her sister, Rachel Hart-Wilson; and a close-knit circle of extended family and lifelong friends.
Her memory will live on through student scholarships established in her name, an annual community book drive, and the hundreds of lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or to the “Trina Long Literacy Fund,” benefiting local schools in need.
Funeral and Memorial Services
A public visitation will be held Saturday, June 20, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Perry Funeral Home, Browns Summit, followed by a private family service. The funeral service will take place on Sunday, June 21, at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, with interment at Chapel Hill Cemetery. A reception at the church hall will follow, sharing food, remembrances, and readings.
