Betty Jo Long

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Honor/Memory of Betty Jo Long to Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center, Miller Children's Hospital, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, 2801 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, 562-933-8600 (www.jjccc.org), or the Alzheimer's Association, 4221 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90010, 800-272-3900 (www.alz.org).

Betty Jo Long

May 10, 1927, to September 15, 2013

From the time she was born in Greensburg, Kansas, it was clear she was something special and someone to be reckoned with. She was the one girl among four brothers. It was likewise soon clear who would be running the show among those children.

In Greensburg, Betty Jo excelled in elementary school and enjoyed all the extended family that surrounded her, especially her grandfather Charles Stephenson. He was a founder of Kiowa County, Kansas, and the local sheriff during the days that Wyatt Earp roamed the area. Betty Jo was the apple of her grandfather’s eye, with never the possibility of doing anything wrong.

During her junior high school years, the family made the move from Kansas to California in search of better economic times during the Great Depression, and Betty Jo continued her leadership role despite her young age. After the sad split of her parents not long after arriving in California, she managed the household and her brothers, Marvin, Chuck, Ralph, and Jerry, while her mother worked long hours to support the family. She and her mother Emma were an amazing team.

Living at the southern end of Los Angeles county, their family, headed by two strong women, thrived, if not financially, in every other way. Despite many obstacles, no one ever missed a meal or failed to be dressed immaculately.

Betty Jo, quite the popular, smart, athletic, and beautiful girl, met the love of her life, Bennett Long, in suburban 1940's Compton, California, when Bennett returned from active duty in the Air Force. That was the beginning of a 67-year love affair, which included 66 years of marriage.

As for that marriage, there was never any question who managed the household at their Long Beach family home of 60 years or the few temporary stops that preceded it, including Air Force housing during the Korean War. Friends, family, and neighbors of all ages came over constantly to seek her friendship and counsel, eat one of her fantastic meals, or just hang out at the welcoming and comforting home she crafted and impeccably maintained. This was her domain where she supported her husband and raised her children, with a firm but always fair hand, more love than could be measured, and a fierce code of protecting her brood. God save the sadly misguided kid who bullied or mistreated one of Betty Jo’s children!

While Bennett moved up on his career ladder at Long Beach City College, Betty Jo’s endless support continued. Along with Bennett, she became lifetime friends with such local luminaries as former Mayor and LBCC President Beverly O’Neill and her husband Bill, Long Beach School Superintendent Odie Wright and his wife Ruth, and a long list of others. In addition, whether it was LBCC Faculty Wives, PTA, or countless other charitable endeavors, there was nothing more important to her than helping those less fortunate while supporting each and every member of her family at every turn.

When Bennett retired from LBCC in 1983, after over 25 years at the College, most of it as Vice President for Business Affairs, the two of them traveled regularly. When those travels were interrupted by an unfortunate series of life-threatening health challenges to her children, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren in the late 1990's, she was right there caring for them and their families during these difficult times. Everyone knew they could count on Betty Jo night or day.

As Betty Jo encountered her own serious health problem toward the end of her life, she battled with the same competitive spirit and determination that everyone saw earlier on the golf course, a tennis court, at a bridge table, or in other arenas. And she did it all with grace and dignity (except from time-to-time on the golf course or tennis court when words escaped from her lips that no one had heard her utter before!).

Betty Jo is survived by loving and devoted husband Bennett, brother Jerry and wife Pat, daughter Pam and husband Mike, son Jay and wife Kathy, son Jeff and wife Ellie, grandson Adam and wife Jennifer, grandson Andrew and wife Darci, granddaughters Megan, Caitlyn, and Jillian, grandson Connor, and great grandchildren Karleigh, Madeline, Trevor, Micah, Maggie, Josiah, and Lincoln.

The shell of Betty Jo’s body was buried on September 21 at a private family ceremony after she went to be with her Lord. Plans for a celebration of her life are pending. If you knew Betty Jo and might like to attend, please contact Jay Long at jay.long@jbl-law.net or 562-366-1671.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Honor/Memory of Betty Jo Long to Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center, Miller Children's Hospital, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, 2801 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, 562-933-8600 (www.jjccc.org), or the Alzheimer's Association, 4221 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90010, 800-272-3900 (www.alz.org).

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401

www.luybenfamilyd-m.com