Abenia Camille, affectionately known as Bena, was born in the town of Morattico, Lancaster County, Virginia. She was the first born to her adoring mother Hazel Gordon.
Bena spent her early formative years living in Maryland before relocating to Asbury Park, New Jersey. She grew up on Elizabeth Avenue along with her siblings Mary Lou, Peggy, Alex, Phyllis, and Billy. The family was long standing members of St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church.
Bena attended Mount Carmel School and Asbury Park High School. She was a member of the chorus and Glee Club often vying for lead roles in the school performances. Bena had an operatic voice comparative to the famous Leontyne Price and she was also a gifted yodeler. Her beautiful rendition of 'Ave Maria' was a requested favorite at local weddings. In addition to her singing skills she had an innate flair for fashion. Bena appeared in numerous local events and community fashion shows highlighting the designs of popular artists. Her creative talents later expanded into jewelry which enabled her to secure career positions at Reed Jewelers and A & S Department Store.
Bena married the handsome hard working James (Sonny) Long in 1951. They settled in Neptune, New Jersey. Their union was blessed with four beautiful children; Jimmy, Chuckie, Michele, and Michael. Both Bena and Sonny enjoyed entertaining family and friends for holiday BBQ's, anniversaries, and birthday parties. No one could resist her famous coconut cake. She was an active member of the Casual Set Social Group establishing many decades of friendships. Bena was an avid reader of all genres, often finishing a book daily.
Bena's generous spirit and kind heart was equally as big as her bright smile. Her ability to make you feel as if you were the most important person in the room drawed you closer. Bena is an unforgettable treasure who has left a lasting imprint on the world. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Bena is predeceased by her parents Hazel and Daniel Walker, Husband James (Sonny), Son James (Jimmy), Brother Daniel (Alex), Brother William (Billy), Grandson Angel, and Sister Mary Lou.
She leaves a legacy to her doting sisters Margaret (Peggy) Walker-Shorte (Keith) and Phyllis Walker Nichols (Ronald), beloved children; son Howard Charles (Chuckie) (Kyle), daughter Michele (Michael), son Keith Michael (Ada), loving grandchildren; Shayla Bray, Shanna Long, Keith Long, Krystal Long, Genna Toney- El, Jessica Russell, Lauren Long, great-grandchildren; Ahnia Bray, Briah Bray, Natalia Bray, Zayda Russell, ZaNiya Russell, Aribella Long, Jordyn Toney-El, great-great grandchild; Naavi Elbay, devoted nieces and nephews, caring cousins, and faithful friends.
Ely Funeral Home
Bena spent her early formative years living in Maryland before relocating to Asbury Park, New Jersey. She grew up on Elizabeth Avenue along with her siblings Mary Lou, Peggy, Alex, Phyllis, and Billy. The family was long standing members of St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church.
Bena attended Mount Carmel School and Asbury Park High School. She was a member of the chorus and Glee Club often vying for lead roles in the school performances. Bena had an operatic voice comparative to the famous Leontyne Price and she was also a gifted yodeler. Her beautiful rendition of 'Ave Maria' was a requested favorite at local weddings. In addition to her singing skills she had an innate flair for fashion. Bena appeared in numerous local events and community fashion shows highlighting the designs of popular artists. Her creative talents later expanded into jewelry which enabled her to secure career positions at Reed Jewelers and A & S Department Store.
Bena married the handsome hard working James (Sonny) Long in 1951. They settled in Neptune, New Jersey. Their union was blessed with four beautiful children; Jimmy, Chuckie, Michele, and Michael. Both Bena and Sonny enjoyed entertaining family and friends for holiday BBQ's, anniversaries, and birthday parties. No one could resist her famous coconut cake. She was an active member of the Casual Set Social Group establishing many decades of friendships. Bena was an avid reader of all genres, often finishing a book daily.
Bena's generous spirit and kind heart was equally as big as her bright smile. Her ability to make you feel as if you were the most important person in the room drawed you closer. Bena is an unforgettable treasure who has left a lasting imprint on the world. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Bena is predeceased by her parents Hazel and Daniel Walker, Husband James (Sonny), Son James (Jimmy), Brother Daniel (Alex), Brother William (Billy), Grandson Angel, and Sister Mary Lou.
She leaves a legacy to her doting sisters Margaret (Peggy) Walker-Shorte (Keith) and Phyllis Walker Nichols (Ronald), beloved children; son Howard Charles (Chuckie) (Kyle), daughter Michele (Michael), son Keith Michael (Ada), loving grandchildren; Shayla Bray, Shanna Long, Keith Long, Krystal Long, Genna Toney- El, Jessica Russell, Lauren Long, great-grandchildren; Ahnia Bray, Briah Bray, Natalia Bray, Zayda Russell, ZaNiya Russell, Aribella Long, Jordyn Toney-El, great-great grandchild; Naavi Elbay, devoted nieces and nephews, caring cousins, and faithful friends.
Ely Funeral Home
Abenia Camille, affectionately known as Bena, was born in the town of Morattico, Lancaster County, Virginia. She was the first born to her adoring mother Hazel Gordon.
Bena spent her early formative years living in Maryland before relocating to Asbury Park, New Jersey. She grew up on Elizabeth Avenue along with her siblings Mary Lou, Peggy, Alex, Phyllis, and Billy. The family was long standing members of St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church.
Bena attended Mount Carmel School and Asbury Park High School. She was a member of the chorus and Glee Club often vying for lead roles in the school performances. Bena had an operatic voice comparative to the famous Leontyne Price and she was also a gifted yodeler. Her beautiful rendition of 'Ave Maria' was a requested favorite at local weddings. In addition to her singing skills she had an innate flair for fashion. Bena appeared in numerous local events and community fashion shows highlighting the designs of popular artists. Her creative talents later expanded into jewelry which enabled her to secure career positions at Reed Jewelers and A & S Department Store.
Bena married the handsome hard working James (Sonny) Long in 1951. They settled in Neptune, New Jersey. Their union was blessed with four beautiful children; Jimmy, Chuckie, Michele, and Michael. Both Bena and Sonny enjoyed entertaining family and friends for holiday BBQ's, anniversaries, and birthday parties. No one could resist her famous coconut cake. She was an active member of the Casual Set Social Group establishing many decades of friendships. Bena was an avid reader of all genres, often finishing a book daily.
Bena's generous spirit and kind heart was equally as big as her bright smile. Her ability to make you feel as if you were the most important person in the room drawed you closer. Bena is an unforgettable treasure who has left a lasting imprint on the world. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Bena is predeceased by her parents Hazel and Daniel Walker, Husband James (Sonny), Son James (Jimmy), Brother Daniel (Alex), Brother William (Billy), Grandson Angel, and Sister Mary Lou.
She leaves a legacy to her doting sisters Margaret (Peggy) Walker-Shorte (Keith) and Phyllis Walker Nichols (Ronald), beloved children; son Howard Charles (Chuckie) (Kyle), daughter Michele (Michael), son Keith Michael (Ada), loving grandchildren; Shayla Bray, Shanna Long, Keith Long, Krystal Long, Genna Toney- El, Jessica Russell, Lauren Long, great-grandchildren; Ahnia Bray, Briah Bray, Natalia Bray, Zayda Russell, ZaNiya Russell, Aribella Long, Jordyn Toney-El, great-great grandchild; Naavi Elbay, devoted nieces and nephews, caring cousins, and faithful friends.
Ely Funeral Home
Bena spent her early formative years living in Maryland before relocating to Asbury Park, New Jersey. She grew up on Elizabeth Avenue along with her siblings Mary Lou, Peggy, Alex, Phyllis, and Billy. The family was long standing members of St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church.
Bena attended Mount Carmel School and Asbury Park High School. She was a member of the chorus and Glee Club often vying for lead roles in the school performances. Bena had an operatic voice comparative to the famous Leontyne Price and she was also a gifted yodeler. Her beautiful rendition of 'Ave Maria' was a requested favorite at local weddings. In addition to her singing skills she had an innate flair for fashion. Bena appeared in numerous local events and community fashion shows highlighting the designs of popular artists. Her creative talents later expanded into jewelry which enabled her to secure career positions at Reed Jewelers and A & S Department Store.
Bena married the handsome hard working James (Sonny) Long in 1951. They settled in Neptune, New Jersey. Their union was blessed with four beautiful children; Jimmy, Chuckie, Michele, and Michael. Both Bena and Sonny enjoyed entertaining family and friends for holiday BBQ's, anniversaries, and birthday parties. No one could resist her famous coconut cake. She was an active member of the Casual Set Social Group establishing many decades of friendships. Bena was an avid reader of all genres, often finishing a book daily.
Bena's generous spirit and kind heart was equally as big as her bright smile. Her ability to make you feel as if you were the most important person in the room drawed you closer. Bena is an unforgettable treasure who has left a lasting imprint on the world. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Bena is predeceased by her parents Hazel and Daniel Walker, Husband James (Sonny), Son James (Jimmy), Brother Daniel (Alex), Brother William (Billy), Grandson Angel, and Sister Mary Lou.
She leaves a legacy to her doting sisters Margaret (Peggy) Walker-Shorte (Keith) and Phyllis Walker Nichols (Ronald), beloved children; son Howard Charles (Chuckie) (Kyle), daughter Michele (Michael), son Keith Michael (Ada), loving grandchildren; Shayla Bray, Shanna Long, Keith Long, Krystal Long, Genna Toney- El, Jessica Russell, Lauren Long, great-grandchildren; Ahnia Bray, Briah Bray, Natalia Bray, Zayda Russell, ZaNiya Russell, Aribella Long, Jordyn Toney-El, great-great grandchild; Naavi Elbay, devoted nieces and nephews, caring cousins, and faithful friends.
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