Betty Gene Herlong

Betty Gene Turner Herlong was born on July 15, 1929 in Marshall, TX to Marion Calloway Turner and Mary Alyce Gibson Turner and passed away on July 4, 2019 in The Woodlands, TX at the age of 89. Betty grew up during the Great Depression and was raised by her parents, grandmother, and her mother’s siblings. She enjoyed taking piano lessons and worked as a piano accompanist for several churches, starting at the age of twelve. Betty graduated from Longview High School in 1945 as Class Salutatorian and received a Methodist Foundation Scholarship to attend Centenary College in Shreveport, LA. While attending Centenary, Betty majored in Elementary Education and enjoyed singing in the Centenary Choir, graduating in 1949. Betty met L.K. Herlong, Jr. after he returned from WWII while both were enrolled as students at Centenary. They were married on March 24, 1948 and enjoyed 50 years of marriage before his death in 1998. For many years, L.K. worked in management for J.C. Penney. Their first home was in Bossier City, LA, before later moving to Alexandria, LA, and then on to Huntsville, TX in 1964. They joined the First United Methodist Church where Betty sang in the adult choir, directed the children’s choir, participated in the Treble Aires singing group, and served as Chairman of the Committee on Worship. Betty was an accomplished pianist and taught private piano lessons in her home to students of all ages. For over 10 years, she was a teacher for Reading and GED for the Windham School District. Betty served as Chairman of the Fine Arts Commission of Huntsville and helped with the restoration of the art facades on the downtown buildings. She was also an active member of the DAR Society. Betty will be most fondly remembered by her family and friends for her faith in God, service to her church, love for music, and her thoughtfulness, cheerfulness, and wonderful sense of humor. She showered her family with beautiful music each day in their home. Betty’s special gift was music and she used it to glorify God in all aspects of her life. Betty is survived by her children: L. K. Herlong, III, Dennis Herlong, Claire Herlong Meador and husband, Tom, and Scott Herlong and wife, Lea; and grandchildren: Adrienne Meador, Travis Meador, Aidan Herlong, Andrew Herlong, Ryan Herlong, and Nathan Herlong, all of the Houston area; her aunt Norma Weathersby Goulston, cousins: Harriet Whatley and husband, Owen, Don McCaa and wife, Janet, Chris McCaa and wife, Tina, Dennis Reed and wife, Patsyann, and their families; and numerous nieces and nephews. Special friends include Francis Adams, Mark and Missy Adams, Gradylene Pate, and Charles and Madison Thompson. Betty’s family extends special thanks and appreciation to her Caregivers, Tracy Bomer and Gloria LeBlanc, STAT Home Health Care, and the medical community for all the support and love shown to Betty. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 12 from 5 -7pm at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 13 at 11am, at the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church with a reception following in the Community Life Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Choir Scholarship Fund of the First United Methodist Church of Huntsville, TX.

Betty Gene Herlong

July 15, 1929 - July 4, 2019