Elizabeth Long Denard

Elizabeth Ann Long Denard passed away peacefully at Mulberry Grove Senior Living in Statham, Georgia, on Sunday, August 31st, 2025 at the age of 90. Elizabeth was born on Sunday, March 3rd, 1935 in Loco Community of Lincolnton, Georgia. Her family soon moved to Washington, Georgia.

Elizabeth was known to friends and family as “Libba.” She loved playing the piano and often sang at weddings and church events. She had a beautiful voice.

While in high school, she met her lifelong love, James “Beetle” Denard, from Tignall. His love and support were crucial after the sudden loss of her father in a welding accident the summer before her senior year of high school. Life quickly changed when her mom had to begin working full-time. Libba assumed more responsibility at home with housework, cooking, and taking care of her siblings. Beetle and Libba knew their love was a “forever love” and later that year, they were married.

Soon after they married, Beetle enlisted in the Army National Guard. While he was serving, their daughters were born and Libba was a full-time mom. As a devoted wife and mother, she left her home, took the girls and spent a year with him while he was stationed in Maryland. After returning to their home in Washington, he was honorably discharged.

Libba was very creative and loved sewing and needle work. She made most of her daughters’ clothes including their wedding dresses. All of her work was beautiful. Libba refinished furniture and enjoyed small woodworking projects which she and Beetle created and she hand painted. Libba spent many happy hours in her yard mowing grass, gardening, and watching birds. Cooking was a joy to her especially family holiday meals. Other hobbies were reading, doing crossword puzzles, and golf.

Libba was a member of First Baptist Church in Washington, Georgia. She loved Jesus, reading the Bible, and her friends in her Sunday school class.

Libba had many jobs including working as a seamstress at Royal Manufacturing, homemaker, and bookkeeper. Her happiest years were the years she spent working with Beetle at Washington Shell Service. She retired after nine years of working at the Farmers and Merchants bank when James’ eyesight declined and he retired. They spent the next 25 years side by side and enjoying their family. They celebrated their 72nd anniversary in December before Beetle passed in April of this year.

She is survived by her loving family, including her brother John Long and his wife Charlotte, and her sister, Gracia Smith. Her legacy lives on through her children, Vicki Rodrigues and her husband John of Watkinsville, GA, and Jackie Gattis and her husband Doug of Cumming, GA.

She was a proud and loving grandmother to five grandchildren: Megan Stephens and her husband Matt, Lauren Arthur and her husband Tyler, Kirstin Smith and her husband Ethan, Doug Gattis III and his wife Lauryn, and Dillon Gattis and his partner Katie McCants. Her great-grandchildren, Hudson, Audrey, and Garrett Stephens; Camilla and Violet Arthur; Oliver and Cecelia Smith; and Wylder Gattis, will forever carry her spirit in their hearts.

Elizabeth was also preceded in death by her parents, Jack Retland Long and Roberta Hill Long; her devoted husband, James Samuel Denard Jr.; and her brother-in-law, Ronnie Smith.

Family, friends, and all whose lives Elizabeth touched are invited to pay their respects at a visitation on September 4, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at The First Baptist Church of Washington. A funeral service honoring her life will follow at 2:00 PM, with a private interment thereafter. Arrangements are being handled with grace and care by Hopkins Funeral Home.

In memory of Elizabeth, and in place of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to The First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 603, Washington, GA, to continue the legacy of faith and community service she held dear.