Judith “Judy” Long
March 6, 1943 - March 30, 2026
Judith “Judy” Dene Long, 83, of Erlanger, Kentucky, formerly of Missouri, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, at Villa Springs in Erlanger, KY.
Judy was born on March 6, 1943 to Dean Warren and Freda Lee Browning of Pleasant Hill, Missouri. She attended Pleasant Hill schools. She was a majorette in high school, worked at Hooker’s Drug Store and was crowned Miss Western Missouri. She loved horses, dancing and handsome men. She married James Cecil “Coach” Long and moved to Knob Noster where they lived for many years.
She was a businesswoman and opened a Hallmark store, The Strawberry Patch, which she ran in Knob Noster for many years. She loved her family and friends, enjoyed get-togethers and playing bridge.
Fifteen years ago, she suffered a medical emergency, gallstone pancreatitis with multi-organ failure, and was never quite the same. The passing of her husband during this time was another profound loss. She moved to Cincinnati for care by her family. She loved her family and enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up.
She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Lana Long and her husband, Brett Coldiron, of Cincinnati; her cherished grandchildren, Conrad (Samantha) Coldiron and Catherine Coldiron. She was extremely proud of her daughter, Lana and son in-law, Brett; both dermatologists in Cincinnati. Conrad is completing his MBA at Boston College and Catherine will be starting medical school this summer.
She is preceded in death by her parents Dean and Freda Browning, brother Jim Browning, and loving husband of over 50 years, James C. Long.
Visitation will be held at Wallace Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill, Missouri on Sat., April 11 from 11 a.m.-noon. Graveside burial services will take place at the Knob Noster Cemetery on Sat., April 11 at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Christian Church of Knob Noster, 101 S. Monroe Ave, Knob Noster MO, 65336 or the National War World II Museum, 945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130. Her father and several cousins served in WW II and the family is especially proud of their contributions. Judy will be remembered for her love of family and friends, the life she built in Missouri, and the many memories she leaves behind in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
