Benita Bower Long of Longwood, Florida, entered into Heaven June 12, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. Benita has two wonderful children, Mason, age 11, and Ava, age 7; a loving husband, Matt; her parents Betty and Tony Bower; her sister Bethany Bower-Haynes (Noel); her brother Ben Bower; her nieces Jasmine Flores and Haven Haynes; her nephews Stone Flores and Bryant Powell;  her mother-in-law Linda Sieg (Mike); her sister-in-law Amanda Powell-Yurkin (Paul); aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family and many close friends.

Benita was born August 11, 1974, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her family relocated to Altamonte Springs, Florida in 1983. She graduated from Lake Brantley High School in 1992 and attained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design with a minor in Art History from the University of Florida in 2003. She married Matt Long in November 2003. Benita worked in the interior design industry in Florida for organizations including Designers West, Commercial Design Services, and most recently, C.F. Stinson. She has been a faithful member of Sanlando United Methodist Church and served on their board of trustees. Benita has been a strong advocate for Lighthouse Central Florida, an agency providing services for the blind and vision impaired, and she regularly volunteered at her children's school, Sabal Point Elementary. An incredibly gifted artist, Benita found inspiration in nature and the people she loved, and in her favorite places including Sanibel Island, Florida, and Paris, France.

Benita is deeply missed and lives in our hearts forever. Her passionate love for her family and friends, and her devout Christian faith, have a great influence on all who know and love her. A celebration of Benita's life will be held on Saturday, June 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Sanlando United Methodist Church in Longwood, Florida. For those who would like to contribute, donations may be made to Lighthouse Central Florida and/or Hospice Care in Altamonte Springs (give via AdventHealth Foundation Central Florida and note donation is for Hospice Care).