Eva Longley (19 Jun 1932 - 9 Nov 2018)

Eva, so much embodied in one tiny person.
Not tiny at all. Not in any way.
The smile, the voice, the intellect, the knowledge, the experience of life, the generosity, the love, the Walk; All shared along with everything or anything that Eva ever held, in her open hands. All gifts left to multiply in the lives of many.
A beautiful person; a privilege to know a little; much missed - will be remembered many life moments.

Eva was a beautiful saintly lady and it was lovely to be her next door neighbour for many years, and to share a lot of her London life. We were greatly blessed to know her and I am deeply influenced by her life style and her passion for Jesus. Thank you dear Eva for all the memories you have left with me and for all your support for many years - yes - two saints have now left us.

We first met Eva in Nouakchott, Mauritania in 1987. She was on the reception at the World Vision office and welcomed us as only Eva could. She helped us with some translations, with linguistic skills that we would benefit from in later years. Over the years the image of Eva walking slowly up dusty roads comes to mind. She loved walking and often turned down lifts even when walking in the heat of the Saharan sun. On a few occasions Eva interpreted for Jonathan (both English to French and vice versa) when he spoke at the International Church. One time for some reason he chose to use the illustration of conditions for life and the mnemonic, Pigs Fall Over When Trying to Waltz (pre-existing life, food supply, oxygen supply, water supply, temperature control and waste removal) - Eva manged the translation without blinking; in fact some sermons sounded better in the translation when Eva was on hand! Years later Jonathan came to work for World Vision and returned to the Nouakchott office and the international church, but they weren't quite the same without Eva. Our last contact with Eva came in 2014, when we came up to the East End to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. We will not easily forget Eva's welcome, her intellect and her years of service that have touched so many lives in so many countries.

Our family loved Aunty Eva and she had a huge affect on our daughter Hannah and how she has chosen to live her life. she was one of the great ones. In heaven there is a place of honour for her. We will always treasure her memory.
God bless you Eva.

It is with heavy heart that l am writing this tribute. Eva was part of my family, l have known her for nearly 20 years, she often comes to the house and we will talk, read the Bible and pray. I can go to her house anytime as well.
I had so many health issues and she was there for me, praying, encouraging and giving me hope, even when l went to Nigeria we still kept in touch.
There was a time l went to the hospital for MRI and the result wasn't good news. l was admitted to the hospital, l phoned Eva that l was to be in London hospital and she said Bisi where can l meet you to take you there, that was 3 years ago. l was in the hospital for 2 weeks, Eva was there every other day, it was in November, windy, raining and very cold, despite all that, she was always there.
My Grandchildren call her Granny Eva and she remembers their birthdays.
Eva you loved and served God, l will miss you and l am blessed for knowing you, l know you are withe the Lord, Rest in perfect peace.

Bisi

Eva you spent so much time caring for others. You can rest now
Kevin Lavery

It was with great sadness that we learned of Eva's passing. She was an extraordinary woman. There are many who will mourn deeply her passing as she was a life of service, love, compassion and excellence. May she rest in peace!

We remember Eva with great affection. She was a wonderful person who radiated the love of Jesus from her whole person. I particularly remember her helping me when I won a scholarship to the same school as she attended and she gave me lots of valuable advice. Her father Reverend Stanley Smith married us (Nigel & Gillian Humphries) on 1 April 1961 nearly 58 years ago. Great memories. I remember when she went on to the London Bible College, married Peter, and went to serve the Lord in Algeria for many years. She taught us to sing 'Yes Jesus loves me in Arabic. She is with the Lord and what a rejoicing that must have been for the Lord to welcome her! Nigel and Gillian Humphries, Hazeldene House, 142, East Street, Corfe Castle BH20 5EH

My Auntie Eva was a very special woman in my life.She was such an inspirational person to me and I learnt so much from her. She will always call me to check how me and my family were doing. She will call me and give me bible passage to read in church. By doing that she gave me such confidence which I didn't have. I am so privileged I got to spend some time with her while she was in hospital and during her last days. She is now in heaven smiling. Rest in peace my beautiful Auntie!!!❤️

Eva LONGLEY une grande Dame qui nous a transmis la compassion, le partage, le respect de l'autre, sa présence dans nos vies fut une bénédiction.
Sabrina

Eva was like a second mother to me and to my sisters and cousins , I knew her since birth, she had an impact on my life as few did, she taught me to love others, compassion, and kindness, when I was a child, I saw her as a saint, this image of her has not changed ever since , I'll miss you Eva '

Notre chére et adoree EVA , rien n'effacera le souvenir des jours heureux .Repose en paix je ne t'oublierai jamais KHIAT MALIKA ALGÉRIE

THE PASSING OF EVA LONGLEY, A TRUE HUMANITARIAN WITH SPIRITUALITY

It is with sadness that I announce the passing of Eva Longley on Friday 16 November 2018. Eva was an evangelist, a teacher, a mentor and a genuine humanitarian. I came to know Eva and her late husband Peter, in 1988 in Nouakchott, Mauritania. Eva was running the English Sunday School at the only Christian Church in Nouakchott then. Churches were not allowed to be opened but the International Church, run by Christians from other countries, survived the clampdown on churches.

During the week, Eva would allow her house to be used for Bible Studies and we would have to hide from the security officials to attend these studies at her residence.

Eva opened her doors to every adventurer or traveller, irrespective of your race, creed, gender or disability. Eva and her loyal husband, Peter Longley, served us well and gave many the first steps into earning a living for themselves. She was there to help those with rent problems, police problems and hunger problems. The couple were a God sent for the struggling travellers and hustlers.

Eva was everything God made beautiful, in mind, body and spirit, she showed so much faith in God. Eva’s Jesus became the Jesus of so many as we all saw the true spirit of God in Eva and Peter Longley.

In the two weeks before, I finally came to know that she was not well, I was feeling bad daily. Something was telling me that I was missing something or neglecting something in my life. I went in search of Eva and finally found her in a home at Canning Town. I was with a friend, Esther Hutchinson, who wanted to see this great woman that I was searching for and worried about. Esther left everything she was doing to follow me to meet Eva. Eva was pleased to see us.

Upon seeing her, I wept and realised the power of God. She was in her bed thanking God for His Goodness to her. I day near her and moved closer to her and giving her a kiss. While I was close to her forehead she said to me “you know you have a job to complete” . I did not see it as a question and answered back saying, ‘I know Eva’.

God was everything to Eva and her tears were always for us that sometimes neglect our spirituality. She was happy when I told her that I gave up my drinking of alcohol and taking of any mind altering substance 7 years ago. That smile 😊 she gave me after hearing that I no longer take alcohol, brought tears to my eyes, thanking God.

Eva has left us and we are going to continue to light her memories. She stood for God and supported many to understand the spirituality that exists in all of us. I will from today begin my mission to tell others about the spirituality in all of us and that through Jesus, we are saved.

Eva lived for God and today, she is with God. Blessed be God and God rests her soul in perpetual peace.

Our love forever and will always believe in our one True God. The God of Eva will always be our God.

Naked we came out of our mothers’ wombs and naked shall we return, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away blessed be the name of the Lord.

Father Lord we thank you for the life of Eva Your Precious daughter. Thank you for The Gift if Salvation that she brought to my family. We know that she’s now in Your Glory where there’s no pain nor sorrow. Rest in peace Eva, till we meet again.

Siamer nadjia Tu n'es plus là notre chère Eva , mais tu es partout là ou nous sommes , nous gardons un très bon souvenir , avec ton esprit doux tranquille et généreux et ton beau sourire . Nous t'oublierons jamais et tu seras a jamais dans nos coeurs.

You helped so many people without distinction, we love you forever, rest in peace next to peter

Hichem