Jaunita Elizabeth (Chambers) Long, 91, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2026, in Olathe, Kansas, surrounded by family.
Jaunita was born June 8, 1935, in Fort Scott, Kansas, to Robert Tracy Chambers and Ruth Lee (Godman) Chambers of Hiattville. She was the baby of the Chambers family, the only girl, and sister to four older brothers: Robert James “Jim” Chambers, Donald Lee “Donny” Chambers, John Joseph “Joe” Chambers, and William Gerald “Bill” Chambers.
Being the only girl among four brothers may explain at least a little of the energy, independence, and plainspokenness that would characterize Jaunita for the rest of her life.
She graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1956. On June 21, 1958, she married Vernon Ray Long, a United States Navy sailor, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Fort Scott.
Navy life took Jaunita and Vernon many places, and while Vernon was at sea, Jaunita did what Navy wives have done for generations: she kept life moving at home. She raised five children through deployments, moves, and all the commotion that comes with a large family.
When Vernon died in 1985, Jaunita was just 50 years old and living in New Orleans. Faced with the necessity of building a new life, she did it in characteristic Jaunita fashion: she went to work.
She built a lawn and landscape business that eventually served 91 weekly customers, and she ran it for more than 20 years. Through sheer work and determination, she paid off her home and vehicles and built an independent life for herself. Somehow, she also found the energy to run some of the largest bowling leagues in the area.
In 2000, Jaunita returned to Kansas, settling in LaCygne to be near her brothers and their families. Retirement, however, never meant sitting still. She worked at the Longhorn Restaurant and LaCygne Liquor and became a familiar face in the community, known to all as “Aunt Jaunita.” If there were lottery tickets being sold for a local fundraiser, there was a good chance Jaunita had a stack of them and intended to see that they were sold.
She loved sports of nearly every kind, playing cards, working puzzles, bowling, and trips to the casino with friends and family. She loved people, activity, and a good time. She was energetic, spirited, and never much inclined to leave you wondering what she thought. In later years she became equally well known for her bright purple hair—a choice that suited her perfectly.
Jaunita was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her parents, Robert and Ruth; her brothers, Jim, Donny, Joe, and Bill; her sisters-in-law Sara “Sally” Chambers, Virginia Chambers, and Shirley Chambers; and her eldest son, John Jeffrey “Jeff” Long. Jeff followed the family's Navy tradition, serving for more than 20 years as a U.S. Navy submariner. He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Doan) Long, and their sons, David and Daniel “Danny” Long.
Jaunita is survived by her children: Janice Jeanne “Jeannie” Brooks and her husband, David, of Ilwaco, Washington; Jeanne retired from Microsoft after a career in technology. Joseph Jerome “Joe” Long and his wife, Shania, live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Joe is an attorney. James Jason “Jim” Long of Key West, Florida, is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief and submariner. Joanne Long and her partner, Paul Merrifield, live in Frontenac, Kansas, where Joanne works as a government software training specialist.
Her grandchildren are Nicholas “Nick” Shotton, Matthew Shotton, Amanda Shotton, Michelle Schoettler and her husband, Cameron, Michael Long, David Long, and Daniel “Danny” Long. She is also survived by her great-grandsons, Gabriel and Emmett Schoettler.
Her family extended well beyond names on a family tree, to the many nieces and nephews she remained close to, as well as friends, neighbors, bowling partners, card players, casino companions, and countless others who crossed Jaunita's path during her 91 years.
There is something fitting about Jaunita having lived long enough to become unmistakably herself. She worked hard. She survived hard things. She laughed, played, spoke her mind, and kept moving. She could start over when life required it, and she proved more than once that she was considerably tougher than circumstances might have suggested.
And eventually, she did it all with purple hair.
Jaunita was much loved, and the force of her spirit left its mark on many lives.
Following cremation, Jaunita will return home to Fort Scott, where she will be laid to rest at Fort Scott National Cemetery alongside generations of her family. It is also the home of the U.S. Navy Veterans Memorial designed and dedicated by her daughter, Jeanne—a fitting place of rest for the sister, wife and mother of US Navy Veterans.
Services: Celebration of Life and memorial details will be shared with family and friends following cremation.
