Bennie Furlong

Bennie Houser Furlong, 95, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016.  She was born September 30, 1921 in Jacksonville, FL.

As the daughter of an AP reporter she lived in many cities from New York to Dallas where she graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1944.  Jacksonville was always her home and in 1956 she returned to reside permanently in Jacksonville Beach.  She taught first and second grades and gifted students for 41 years, 21 of them at San Pablo Elementary.

After retirement, Bennie served as a Jacksonville Beach City Council representative for 16 years.  She guided the city in adopting the Jacksonville Beach Tree Ordinance in 1988, resulting in the town being designated as part of Tree City USA.  In 1996, she carried the Olympic Torch on its way to Atlanta.  She was a recipient of the Times Union EVE Award and Teacher of the Year for Duval County.

Bennie was a charter member of the Beaches Area Historical Society, a member of the American Association of University Women for 72 years, served on the Duval County Council on Aging as well as the Dial-A-Ride Board.  She was a charter member of Neptune Baptist Church.  The Beaches Senior Center was renamed in 2007 to honor her accomplishments at the Beaches and around Jacksonville.

Bennie is survived by her daughter Connie Shannon; son Robin Hood (Beth); 3 grandchildren, Derek, Carter and Evan.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00pm, Friday, December 30, 2016 in the Bennie Furlong Beaches Senior Center, 281 19th Ave. South, Jacksonville Beach.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beaches Dial-A-Ride, 281 19th Avenue South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. (904) 246-1477