Bertha Mae Fountain Long, 88, of Mexico, MO, passed away at 10:20 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at her home.

Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at the Second Missionary Baptist Church. There will be no visitation.

Bert was born November 7, 1936, in Mexico, MO, the fourth of eleven children to Herbert Orville and Emma Louise (Tolston) Fountain.

Born and raised in Mexico, she attended elementary, middle and high school there. She played basketball, was a band member, and enjoyed school talent shows. She graduated with the class of 1954.

Upon graduation from high school, she acquired employment with the Jefferson Hotel as well as various locations where needed. Bert was a well-known hairdresser throughout the community. She later married Albert J. Long, II (deceased) and began a family. She attended Secretarial school at night in Fulton, MO. Upon graduation, she was employed by A.P. Green Refractories in Mexico. After retirement, she returned to the workforce at Churchill Terrace in Fulton, MO for four years.

Bert was a member of St. Paul C.M.E. Church, where she served as an Usher, Steward Board member, and Director of Music. She also taught the Sunday school for youth. She was a member of the Eastern Star Ladies Auxiliary in Mexico.

Over the years, Bert enjoyed sewing, watching and playing softball, playing cards, DANCING, and hanging out in Garfield Park!

She was loved by her children, grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Albert (Joe) Long, III (Sue), Jaye Adele Jackson (Lowell), Clifton J. Long (Kim), Myneia Collette Timmons and Scott A. Long (Charlene), all of Mexico, along with a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews, sister, Rose M. Perkins of Missouri City, TX, brothers, Wince Herbert Fountain of Burlington, NJ, John A. Fountain of Rialto, CA, Harold (Toni) Fountain of Mexico, and William (Bill) Fountain (Debbie) of Mexico.

Bert was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Stephen Michael Long and Richard Kevin Long, sister, Anna Belcher, and brothers, Orville Fountain, Richard Fountain, James Fountain, and Charles E. Fountain.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul CME Church. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.