ELKHART -- Shirley J. Furlow, 48, of Elkhart, died at 8:02 p.m. Monday (Nov. 10, 2008) in Elkhart General Hospital.

She was born Dec. 7, 1959, in Dell, Ark., to T.C. and Olivia (Newsom) Furlow.

Ms. Furlow is survived by her mother, Olivia Pratcher of Elkhart; one daughter, Mariah Furlow, at home; four sisters, Doris Pratcher, Glenda Pratcher and Angela (James) Neal, all of Elkhart, and Gloria (the Rev. Marvin I.) Pace of Dowagiac, Mich.; three brothers, Charles (Betty) Cross of Elkhart, Titus C. (Juanita) Furlow of Waukegan, Ill., and Wesley Furlow of Chicago; and her grandmothers, Lelia Wesley of Lorraine, Ohio, and Hattie Pratcher of Elkhart.

She was preceded in death by her father and stepfather, Evanule "Bubba" Pratcher.

Ms. Furlow was a 1979 graduate of Elkhart Central High School and a 1982 graduate of Ball State University. She was a member of Community Missionary Baptist Church, Elkhart. She had worked in the food service industry, including Church's Chicken, Checkers and Rally's, in many capacities over the years.

Friends may call one hour prior to Monday's 1 p.m. funeral service at Community Missionary Baptist Church, 228 Chapman Ave. The Rev. Lafate Owens will officiate. Burial and a graveside service will follow at Rice Cemetery, Elkhart.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is assisting with arrangements.

Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.