Wardena Isabelle Furlow

Wardena Isabelle (Gray) Furlow (97), of Crab Orchard, went to meet Jesus at 11:20 p.m. on October 9th, 2019.  She departed this life surrounded by family at Herrin Hospital.

She was born on September 23^rd 1922 to Ward Tegue and Letha Isabelle (Hayden) Gray.  She married Lester Eugene Furlow on November 11^th 1939.  They lived in Crab Orchard, Illinois where they grew up, raised their children, and grew old together.  They shared 70 years of marriage before he passed on May 6th 2010 at age 95.  Lester and Wardena were blessed with five children:  son Larry (Sharon) Furlow, daughter Adena (Bob) Jones, daughter Lana (Dale) Mitchell, son Fred Furlow, and daughter Dianne (Gary) Parks.  She had twelve grandchildren, Stacey (Rick) Littman, Mark (Sara) Furlow, Scott (Trina) Jones, Susan Jones, Sendi (Quinn) Laird, Sherri (Mike) Jones-Gravatt, Leah (William) Booker, Christina (Louie) Johnson, Doug (Jennifer) Furlow, Darren (Judy) Parks, Angi Kelley, and Courtney (Jason) Chamness. She had 33 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren. Sister-in-laws – Irene Hicks, Wilma Loller, Genevieve Spiller and several nieces and nephews. 

Wardena will be remembered by her family as an avid quilter and gardener.  She spent most of her free time making quilts for her family or tending to her garden. 

Wardena was a lifetime member of Arnold View Free Will Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lester, her granddaughter Carol Robinson, and her grandson Eric Furlow. Sisters – Anna Williamson, Alice Sudmeder and Brothers – Josh, Milton, Donald and Wayne Gray.

Funeral services for Wardena will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral home with Brother Ivan Ryan officiating.  Burial will follow in Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy.  Visitation is from 11 am until the time of service at the funeral home.

For those who prefer memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Shiners Children’s Hospital.  Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois  62959.