Alma Maxine (Moyers) Long, 86, died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at 11:25 p.m. at Lima Memorial Health System, Lima, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Oct. 20, 1925 in Bruceton Mills, W.V. to Charles and Stella (Guthrie) Moyers, who preceded her in death. On June 10, 1951, she married Urban L. Long and he survives in Ada.

Mrs. Long graduated from Bruceton Mills High School and Bridgewater College, Virginia. She began her teaching career in the last one room school in Preston County, West Virginia; in which her mother also taught. She was a science teacher in the Upper Scioto Valley School System for 30 years, teaching Chemistry, Biology and Earth Science.

She earned the Acker Teaching Award and led many successful Chemistry Quiz Bowl Teams. Alma was actively involved with the Church of the Brethren at the local, district and national levels. She was instrumental in establishing Brethren Volunteer Service which was the model for the Peace Corps.

She was the first female moderator for the Northern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren. Along with her husband, Urban, she was a District Youth Counselor for many years. She was instrumental in establishing Inspiration Hills Camp and served on its board. At County Line Church of the Brethren she was a Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher and Lay Leader. 

Mrs. Long was an avid gardener and rose grower; exhibiting in the county fair flower shows as well as being a member of the Millstream Rose Society and the American Rose Society.

Also surviving are two sons: Doyle Long of Ada and Nolan Long of Dayton; a daughter, Carma (Michael) Sheely of Wapakoneta; eight grandchildren: Adam Long of Bloomville, Abigail Gill of Upper Sandusky, Seth (Jen) Long of Great Falls, Montana, Alyse Long of Chicago, Ill., Simon Long of Delaware, Jordan Long of Athens, Ga., Nelson Long of Chicago, Ill., and Kiersten Long of Clarksburg, W.V.; seven great grandchildren; a brother, Charles (Dorothy) Moyers of Bruceton Mills, W.V.

She was preceded in death by two sisters: Beatrice Basinger and Pauline Sines.
A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at County Line Church of the Brethren, 4227 N. Hardin Road, Harrod, with Pastor Thomas Dearth and Pastor Dave Thompson officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Ada.

Friends may call 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to the Brethren Volunteer Service C/O County Line Church of the Brethren, 4227 N. Hardin Rd., Harrod, Ohio 45850.

Condolences may be expressed at www.hansonneely.com