Joyce Statham Furlong, 77 of Decatur, passed away November 24, 2009. Joyce graduated from Auburn University in 1953, the first in her family to graduate college. She taught social studies at Lithonia High School from 1968 to 1993, during which time she earned her Master’s Degree with honors from Georgia State University. In her free time, she was a world traveler who loved to read and write short stories of her life growing up in Atlanta. A devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister, she was widowed early and was a wonderful mother who lovingly raised her 2 children on her own. She always handled life’s adversities with grace and was very generous with her love, time and attention. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas A. Furlong and brother, Norman E. Statham and is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Thomas A. and Robin Ross Furlong; daughter, Phyllis L. Furlong; sisters, Martha Donehoo and Phyllis Moore; sister-in-law, Anne Furlong Eldredge; and 11 nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Morningside Cemetery in her native home of Rochelle, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1925 Century Blvd. NE, Suite 10, Atlanta, GA 30345. A. S. Turner & Sons
