Alexis Long, ?Lexi?

Alexis Victoria Long, ?Lexi?, 25, of Albemarle, North Carolina passed away unexpectedly at her home on April 18, 2019. A service celebrating Lexi?s life will be held at Stanly Funeral Home April 27, 2019 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm Lexi was born on November 23, 1993 to Robert and Stacy Long. The middle child of two sisters, Lexi was always a person unafraid to be herself and stand-out from a crowd. She was a kind and gentle person who brought joy to all around her- loved by everyone who knew her, she taught her family much about the power of a soft approach and inspired them all with her child-like awe for life, incredible empathy, and forgiving nature. She was deeply passionate about music and the arts, having inherited her great-grandfather?s perfect pitch and ability to play music by ear. She excelled as a percussionist and could constantly be found exploring new instruments and playing anything she heard. She loved Shakespeare more than any other writer and found great joy in his plays, Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream being her favorites. Photography brought her the greatest joy, and whenever possible, a camera was in hand, snapping photos of anything and everyone. The truest, most humble spirit, the subjects of Lexi?s photography were always the people she loved most. Lexi was inquisitive and curious, with a fascination and knack for all things technological or mechanical. She would often tear things apart just to figure out how to put them together again, and she was always ahead of the curve when it came to technology. Something few knew, Lexi had earned her Brown belt in East West Karate at a very young age of 8 years old. She was part of the East West Karate Demo team at the age of 7 years old. Forgoing more traditional electives, she took automotive classes in high school and became the families go-to expert on all things car related. She attended Franklin Central High School as an honor student, and chose to delay college to pursue her passion for animals by founding Black Oak Hollow with her mother's help, a farm and animal sanctuary in Albermarle. Next to her family and music, Lexi loved nothing more than her animals. Her dog, Dougan, a Rottweiler rescue she adopted in high school, was her constant companion and best friend. Lexi was happiest when surrounded by her animals and her family, and found great joy in her work at Black Oak Hollow. She was also an advocate for animal rights and issues related to mental health. Lexi was the light of her family's life. Her mischievous smile was constant- she could find humor, beauty, and goodness in everyone and everything. We know she is making the Angels all laugh right now. The world lost a rare soul, who was always, in some ways, too good for this Earth. She taught us many lessons in her short time in this world and everyone who knew her was better for it. She will be missed deeply, but her family takes solace in knowing that she celebrated every moment of life and will no doubt be making the most of all Heaven has to offer. Lexi is survived by her parents, Robert and Stacy Long, of Albemarle, her sister, Sydney of Albemarle, her sister Jordan, of New York City, and her constant companion, her dog, Dougan; her Uncle, William Lamey of Pittsburgh, PA, and his wife Michelle, and her cousin Wil Lamey; her Aunt Karey Burton and her cousin Payton Burton, of Atlanta, Kansas. She is predeceased by her maternal grandparents, William Lamey of Elmdale, Kansas, and Kathleen Lamey, of Albemarle; her paternal grandparent, Frank and Deana Long of Titusville, PA. Her family welcomes flowers, but encourages those wishing to honor Lexi to make a donation in her name to Goats of Anarchy https://www.paypal.me/goatsofanarchy or to the Animal Welfare Institute at their website www.awionline.org

Alexis Long, ?Lexi?

April 24, 2019