Mildred Bretnall Long

Mildred Joan Bretnall Long passed away on January 11, 2023, at her home at Brandon Wilde in Augusta, GA. She was absolute in her faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and was a kind and generous person loved by many. Milly was born at home in Baldwin City Kansas on August 4, 1928, into a loving family. When Milly was nine years old, they moved to Ames, Iowa, where her father was the track coach at Iowa State University. She met her future husband, Bob, in junior high, in Ames, and they became sweethearts. Milly graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Mathematics in 1950. In college she worked at the Student Union and was a member of the Science Council, Red Cross Board, Math Honorary, and Mortar Board and served as President of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. She had the unique experience of escorting Eleanor Roosevelt on a tour of the Iowa State campus. Milly and Bob were married in the fall of 1950. Milly worked as a math teacher until the birth of their son, John, in 1951. Upon graduation from college, Bob was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. Bob's career took them many places. They had a lucky first tour of duty in Honolulu, Hawaii. Though they were poor newlyweds with a baby, their beautiful surroundings and new friends made it a special time. From there they lived in Mesa, AZ, Valdosta, GA, Dover, DE (where their daughter Joane was born), Peru, IN, Long Island, NY, Sumter, SC (where their daughter Martha was born), Rushden, England, Toul-Rosieres, France, Fayetteville, NC, and finally Augusta, GA, where Milly lived for almost 20 years at Brandon Wilde. She stayed in touch with many of the friends she made over those years. Milly was a person with many talents and interests and did not know the word "No." She volunteered for everything and accomplished anything to which she set her mind. Milly was an amazing cook and seamstress. She served as Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, church officer, President of the Officers' Wives Club, and was voted Red Cross volunteer of the year in Sumter, SC. She was a devoted member of the P.E.O Sisterhood for 74 years, holding many offices and helping to start two new chapters in Sumter, SC. For many years Milly was a part of the kitchen staff that volunteered with the Kairos Prison Ministry. At Brandon Wilde, she served on the Spiritual Outreach Committee and the Hospitality Committee. She also taught Sunday School and took great care of the Rose Garden. Her friends there always looked forward to her cinnamon rolls on their birthday! Most of all, Milly was a loving and fun mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Ask any of those children about some of their favorite memories and they will all say, "the lake house"--badminton, board games, water-skiing, Ski-Bob, swimming, soda time, sleeping on top of each other, endless cookies, and delicious meals. She made time there happy and magical. Milly was predeceased by her mother and father, Martha and George Bretnall, by her sisters Jean and Lolly, and by Bob, her husband of 61 years and sweetheart of 71 years. She will be greatly missed by her children, John Long (and wife Janet), Joane Kennington, and Martha Long, by her grandchildren, Amelia, Martha, Caroline, Rob, Heather, Matthew, Kathryn, and Allison, by her great-grandchildren, Reagan, Camden, Eli, Hannah, Noah, and Jack, and by Jasamine, her extraordinary nurse, caregiver, and friend. A memorial service will be held at Brandon Wilde on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 1:00 pm followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Wesley United Methodist Church in Evans, GA. Chance and Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Rd., Augusta, GA 30906.

Mildred Bretnall Long

January 16, 2023