Billie Ruth passed away from her life on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the age of 93. Services will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park.
Billie Ruth Varnell Long was born November 12, 1930, in Clyde, Texas to Annie Laurie and William Richard Varnell, one of four daughters. She married Elwin Long on June 25,1949 and was employed by Southwestern Bell for twenty-six years. Over the years, Billie Ruth has resided in Abilene, Arlington and Lubbock, returning to Abilene in 2009. She became a Christian at the age of 14 at the 12th and Chestnut Church of Christ, in Abilene, and is a graduate of Abilene High School. Since her return to Abilene in 2009, she had been a member of Hillcrest Church of Christ on East Ambler.
Billie Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Mary Frances Davis and Gloan Yaw.
She is survived by her daughter, Debra Burge, and husband Bobby of Burnet, Texas, and one sister, Melba Long of Clyde; also surviving are nieces and nephews, Jerry and Debbie Long of Clyde, Karen and Monty Seitzler of Riverside, California, Phylicia O'Flarety of Mansfield, Ricky and Linda Long of The Colony, Judy and Tom Allen of Abilene and Jana and Willam Sojourner of Abilene.
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