Betsy Faye (Long) Hewett

Betsy Faye (Long) Hewett died on April 13, 2026, surrounded by love.

Born December 4, 1945, in Wake County, North Carolina, she was raised in Zebulon, North Carolina. Especially in her later life, she was very grateful for her Zebulon roots.

Family and a career she loved were central in Betsy’s life.

Betsy worked in real estate from her 20s into her mid-70s. She was a broker and business owner and also worked with RE/MAX United during her career. She lived and worked in Albany, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; and Indianapolis, Indiana. She retired in DeLand, Florida. Wherever she went, she built relationships and helped people through big life transitions—buying homes, selling homes, starting over, and finding the next place to land.

She loved mowing grass on a zero-turn mower, a good tractor, the beach, and fishing, especially with family. She loved music, especially when her children were little. She was known to grab a hairbrush and use it as a microphone, singing in the car.

Her grandchildren tell stories of her encouraging them to learn to drive her pickup truck when they were still well under driving age—likely the same age she first learned to drive on her daddy’s farm.

She carried a gun and a chain in her car for more years than her children care to admit.

Her family still jokes about the fancy groceries she liked to buy. She was drawn to international markets and bougie grocery stores. She liked the finer things but was most at home in a sunbeam or her favorite chair.

She told stories from her childhood often. Barning tobacco was part of those early years and stayed with her always.

She loved family dinners, her Lincoln, and riding in the back of a pickup truck.

She often said she was most proud of her children.

Her faith was such an important part of her life. Wherever she went, she had a church family. In the end, she was comforted by the hope of heaven, reuniting with family, and being with Jesus.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:

Daughter, Ginna Bruner of Indianapolis, Indiana (Sarah Flynn)

Grandchildren: Zachary Fenton, Matthew Fenton (Jenny), Jesse Fenton

Great-grandchildren: Lennora, Joseph, Daniel, Peter Fenton

Son, Rod Strickland Jr. of Hilton Head, South Carolina (Lori)

Grandchildren: Chloe Campbell (Michael), Lilly Wilmot (Charlie), Ivy Strickland (Chase Harsta), Cameron Strickland

Great-grandchildren: Cora, Casher, Stella

Son, Ashley Strickland of Memphis, Tennessee

Son, Jason Hewett of Bluffton, South Carolina (Anna Pepper)

Grandchildren: Addison Hewett, Pepper Hewett, Vivian Hewett, Mills Hewett

Betsy was preceded in death by her mother, Imogene Pearce Long; her father, Cameron D. Long; and her brother, Ben Douglas Long.

In her final days, she was held close by her family. Some in person, others from afar, all carrying her with them.

She will be deeply missed and always loved.

Graveside Service will take place 11:00am Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, 809 W. Gannon Ave., Zebulon, NC 27591.

Flowers being done by Southern Pearl Boutiques Florist and Gifts, 128 N. Main St., Wendell, NC 27591, (919)745-0800.