Elizabeth Anita Long

Elizabeth “Betty” Long was born July 27, 1934 in Merced, CA and went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ March 14, 2022 in Phoenix, AZ. She was the fifth child born to George and Elsie Johnson. Betty was a much loved “baby sister” to her three sisters, Mary Masasso, Mamie Long, and Virginia Scott, and brother Dr. William Johnson. Betty grew up in the California mountains of Mariposa County, CA, famous for the 1849 Gold Rush. There she attended elementary school, and was an honors student at Mariposa High School, where she graduated in 1952.

After high school, Betty moved to Fresno, roomed with high school friends, and attended Fresno Cosmetology School. She did well in school, but decided it was not her passion. She went to work in Fresno for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph in the accounting department, hoping to eventually attend college. She never earned a degree, but was a life-long learner, taking courses and interested mainly in studying non-fiction books on a wide variety of subjects.

In November 1954 she met Eual Britton, and they were married July 23, 1955. Betty continued working at the phone company while her husband finished business college. Their son, Jeffrey Eual Britton, was born April 12, 1958. When Jeff was three months old, Betty was invited to a Billy Graham Crusade held at the Fresno State football stadium in July 1958. Hearing the gospel message clearly for the first time, she dedicated her life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and began attending church regularly and was baptized. She eventually became a serious Bible student and spent the rest of her life encouraging others to read and Study God’s Word.

In 1960, she, her husband, and two-year-old son moved from Fresno, CA to Phoenix AZ, where her husband became a real estate broker. Their family continued to be active in church. A devastating blow came in 1963 when, after eight years of marriage, Betty’s husband left her and their son after becoming involved with another woman. Betty called those very difficult years her “wilderness, growing up spiritually era”. With few resources, except faith and prayer, she found that God truly does provide for his children in many surprising ways and is definitely ”a help in times of trouble”. It was a time of great change and uncertainty and the beginning of an intimate relationship with God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. She was forever grateful for God’s care all through her life.

Betty and her son Jeff moved back to California where she went to work for the Santa Clara Welfare Department. Though the job was good, and her extended family lived in California, during her prayer she sensed the need to return to Arizona. In 1967, after settling in a familiar area of Phoenix, she began working for General Electric Process Computer as a temporary employee, and soon was hired permanently.

After her marriage failed, Betty never dated, but kept praying that if it was God’s will, He would bring the right man into her life. She never told anyone of that prayer. However, a female co-worker, who thought of Betty as “the ultimate church lady”, was determined to find Betty a husband. Betty in turn was determined that her co-worker Sandy would come to know Jesus as Savior. One day, Sandy found Bill Long in the hall, pulled him into where she and Betty worked, and asked “Have you ever met Betty?”. Betty found that Bill liked to hike so she asked him if he knew of any good trails as she wanted to take her son Jeff hiking. One Saturday, Betty and Jeff went with Bill to hike in the Superstition Mountains. That was the beginning of their seeing each other daily at work, and also in the evenings. Three weeks later Bill asked Betty to marry him. Stunning news for all who knew these Bill and Betty.

Bill was thirty-seven years old and had never been married. At the office he was considered the most handsome and eligible bachelor there, but he never dated his admirers. He had made a personal decision never to date co-workers. After making Betty the exception and only three months after their hiking date, they were married. Shortly after their wedding, Betty invited her friend Sandy to a revival meeting at their church, and when an invitation was given, Sandy ran to the altar, accepted the Lord, and lived for Him for the next 40 years until her death.

July 11, 1970 was the beginning of a long and happy marriage of 51 years. Betty often said “Bill was a gift from God that I never took for granted. He is the love of my life. People told me I didn’t date because my standards were so high and that I would never find a husband. With God all things are possible! I believed that God would do exceedingly, abundantly more than I could ask or think, and God did just that. God gives good gifts and Bill was the greatest husband I could have ever had.”

Betty always had a passion for writing from the time she could read. In elementary school and high school her greatest joy was writing essays, compositions and stories. In high school journalism class, she became editor of the school newspaper and later editor of the high school yearbook. Throughout her life she continued to write and take writing courses. She published articles in Christian magazines, in an anthology, and for three years wrote a monthly column in her church newsletter highlighting a book of the Bible, gaining quite a following. In 2010, at age 75, she co-authored a biography about her close friend Joe Price’s inspirational life, titled “The Road from Pine Breeze”, which is still listed on Amazon. In her eighties, she wrote a narrative about her family’s history going back to the Civil War. She has also written countless letters to friends, family, and acquaintances.

Always faithful in church attendance, she was actively involved in teaching Sunday school to various ages, serving on boards and committees, in prayer ministry, teaching Bible Studies, being a greeter and an encourager. Serving as a deaconess was one of her favorite tasks, as it required keeping in touch with thirty families in the church and visiting shut-ins. She was a speaker at various women’s groups. Betty also participated in Christian organization such as Aglow, Bible Study Fellowship, and for four years participated in Coming Alive in the Spirit, a ministry to terminal cancer patients. Her spiritual gift of mercy was used daily over the phone as she listened to and prayed with those in need. She often said, “I’m going to die with a phone to my ear”, to which Bill quipped “but you will die happy.” Betty’s interest included gardening, photography, art, American history, Jewish history and culture, theology, genealogy, and all aspects of homemaking.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, George & Elsie Johnson, and sisters Mary Masasso, Mamie Long, and Virginia Scott. She is survived by her husband, William Long; brother, Dr. William Johnson; son, Jeffrey Britton; and grandson, Justin Britton. An aunt at nine years old, she is survived by over one hundred nieces and nephews, including those in her husband, Bill’s family. Betty loved being a sister, a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, a great-great-great auntie, cousin and a friend. Her wish has always been that her family, friends and all who knew her, would come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley at HOV.org.