Lula M. Long

Lula M. Long, 97, of Gig Harbor, WA, died peacefully on March 19th, 2019.

The graveside service will be held at 1:30pm on March 29th, at Sunset Lane Memorial Park in Port Orchard, WA, family and friends are welcome. There will be a Memorial Celebration immediately following the graveside service for family and friends. It will be held at The Inn at Gig Harbor, Narrows Room, Gig Harbor, WA.

Lula was born on May 1st, 1921 in Stuart, Iowa, the youngest of 7 children. Her family moved to Bakersfield, CA in 1938 and Lula graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1938, & attended Bakersfield Community College for 2 years.

Lula’s life was filled with her love of family and friends. She worked at her father’s service stations, in Bakersfield. She met Milburn Long while working at the station. Lula & Milburn were married on January 21st, 1942, and enjoyed over 50 years together. Milburn entered the Army shortly after they were married. They lived in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Ft. Hood, Texas, Camp Hood, Louisiana and Jackson, South Carolina until he was deployed to Europe. Their first child, Ronnie, was born during this time. After the war, they moved to Salinas, CA, where they worked and built houses with Milburn’s dad. They were blessed with 3 more children, Gary, Sandy, and Karen. They moved to Lower Lake, CA where they owned a clothing store for several years.

In 1953 they moved to Tulelake, CA, where they raised their family. Lula worked as a School Bus Driver for many years, a job she loved very much. She was actively involved in the Tulelake Baptist Church.

Lula’s favorite hobby was making life fun for her children and grandchildren. They took their children on countless camping trips, with fishing and waterskiing. She made sure her children got to enjoy bike riding, roller skating, ice skating, & swimming lessons. She drove the bus to countless school activities & never missed a sporting event.

In 1971, after their children were grown and gone, Lula & Milburn moved first to Paradise CA, then to Placerville, CA, eventually deciding to retire in Port Orchard, WA. During retirement they traveled as much as possible, seeing most of the US, including 2 trips to Alaska, but still they managed to be a big part of their Grandchildren's lives. Loving, guiding & encouraging all of them too. They watched countless basketball games, swim lessons, soccer games, track meets, & tennis matches. They went camping with them, took them fishing, and watched their graduations, from Kindergarten to college.

Lula was an amazing Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and friend. She was loved very, very much, and will be missed tremendously.

Survived by:
Son – Ronald M. Long & wife Sandra Long
Son – Gary D. Long & wife Char Long
Daughter – Sandra G. Maharry & husband Stephen Maharry
Daughter – Karen A. Allison & husband David Allison

Grandchildren –
James Long & wife Thuy,
Julie Woods & husband Jon,
Dwayne Dawson & wife Julie,
Doreen Allen,
Cheryl Abbitt & husband Steve,
Scott Maharry & wife Nora,
Chris Maharry & wife Kelli,
Nathan Maharry,
Rob Allison & wife Megan,
Gary Allison & wife Lisa,
Aaron Brown

Great Grandchildren –
Sophia Long
Hailey Brown
Claire Woods
Matthew Woods
Jessica Dawson
MarChel Wolverton
Sarah Abbitt
Seth Maharry
Lucas Maharry
Maggie Maharry
Miles Maharry
Mason Maharry
Aiden Maharry
Owen Allison
Mia Allison
Evan Allison
Noah Allison
Ari Brown
Lua Brown

Great-Great Grandchildren
Evie Collins

Preceded in Death:
Mother & Father – George W. & Ida R. Lowe
Husband - Milburn J. Long 1992
Granddaughter - Adriana R. Brown 2017