Patricia Anne Long Callahan, 84, passed away Sunday, February 5, 2023, after a long battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She was born in Marion, NC on February 15, 1938, to the late Thomas Hoyle Long and Bonnie Gibbs Long Jolley. She graduated from Marion High School in 1956 and Western Carolina University when it was a Teachers College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She was a teacher in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she taught kindergarten through third grade and after becoming certified, she taught special education. After 39 years of teaching, she retired and moved to Franklin in 1999. She loved to read and had a special gift for storytelling. As one of her co-workers said, "You had the worse students mesmerized listening to every detail as you told a tale. They were engaged and their bad behaviors faded away while you spoke." She was an avid runner, finishing her first 10K in 1983. She ran in several marathons, including the US Marine Corps Marathon in 1993 and Grandfather Mountain Marathon twice. The longest race completed was the Tropical 50 Miler. It started at 7:00 pm and she ran all night long finishing the entire 50 miles. Notably, she won first place in her age category in many of the races. She was kind to everyone she met and had many friends. She was always thoughtful, never forgetting to wish family members and friends happy birthday by sending them cards and letters. She is survived by two daughters, Cindy Renee Callahan of Franklin, NC, and Jamie Lin Callahan of Coeur d Alene, Idaho; grandchildren, Seth Penland (Katie) of Flowery Branch, GA, Patrick Penland (Sandra) of Hoschton, GA, and August Penland of Franklin, NC; two great granddaughters and two step great granddaughters; brothers, Van Long (Phillis) of Marion, NC, James Long (Lib) of Marion, NC, and Yorktown, VA, and Steve Long of Marion, NC; sisters, Shelia Presley and Pamela Jolley of Marion, NC, and dear cousins Gina Mewborn and Bette McCarson. A memorial service will be held for friends and family in Franklin, NC on Saturday, March 4, at 11:00 a.m. in the old chapel at First Presbyterian Church. An additional memorial service will be held for friends and family in Marion, NC on March 11, at 3:00 p.m. at East Marion Baptist Church. The family would like to especially thank Carolyn Gosnell for loving and caring for Ms. Pat for the last three years. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Humane Society or Best Friends Animal Society. Moffitt Family Funeral Care is honored to serve such a great lady and her family.