Betty Lou Worrell Long passed away on Sunday, February 7, in Wilmington, NC.  She was the daughter of the late Esther McCollum Worrell and Willie Manson "Griff" Worrell. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Otha "OJ/Jack" Long, her beloved recently deceased daughter, Alisa Joy Duncan, as well as siblings, William Worrell (Doris), Jay Worrell and Curtis Worrell.

She is survived by two daughters Rebecca "Becky" Long (Harry Marriner) and Tina Long Wilson (Butch Ahern);  granddaughter Aimee Rebecca Duncan, grandsons Thomas "Butch" Duncan, III, Benjamin Duncan (Raven) and Cyrus Rollins Otha Marriner, and son-in-law Thomas "Tommy" Duncan. She was also blessed with three beautiful great-grandchildren, Landon, Jesse and Maggie Jane Duncan. Also surviving are her siblings, Jerry Worrell and wife Clara, Iris Worrell Dutton, Brenda Worrell Gray, and sisters-in-law Joyce Worrell and Pamela Worrell.

Betty was a woman of great inner strength. After having three children she decided to go to college to become a teacher. She graduated from UNC Pembroke in three years with honors and at the age of 30 started teaching first grade at Waccamaw School in Ash, NC. She taught there 42 years until retiring at age 73. She was always called "Miss Betty" by her students and others who knew her well. Betty grew up attending Spring Branch Holiness Church in New Hope. After marrying Jack and moving to Brunswick County, she became a dedicated member of Friendship Baptist Church. She started as the pianist there at the age of 19 and continued faithfully (eventually switching to the organ) into her 80s. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa teachers' sorority.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 14, at 3pm outside on the grounds of Friendship Baptist Church, 2546 Ash-Little River Road NW, Ash, NC, followed by a graveside service at Ward Cemetery, the Reverend Mark Register officiating. A viewing will precede the service beginning at 2pm at the church.

Her daughters ask that all attendees wear masks and social distance to protect the health of all involved.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Southeastern NC Branch of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, 1924 Capital Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604. https://foodbankcenc.org/

Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to the family at www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com

Michael J Fulwood Funeral Service Licensee, 910-471-5441

Food bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
1924 Capital Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604. https://foodbankcenc.org/, Raleigh NC 27604
Tel: 1-910-251-1465
Web: http://www.foodbankcenc.org/