“Furlow we’re gonna miss you!”

Polly Byrd cried Thursday afternoon as she spray painted thatmessage on a white panel on the side of her restaurant, where JimmyFurlow was a frequent visitor.

“I haven’t felt this bad in a long time,” Byrd said as theprepared the memorial in honor of Furlow, who was killed Thursdaymorning in a bulldozer accident at the city landfill.

Byrd’s feelings were shared across the community as co-workersand friends remembered Furlow for his gentle disposition andwillingness to help others.

Mayor Bob Massengill said Furlow, as departmental coordinatorfor the city, was his right hand. But more than that, the mayorsaid, Furlow was his friend.

“He loved his Lord, he loved his family and he loved this city,”Massengill said. “He was always doing everything he could for thecity.”

Honorable, dependable and conscientious were words Massengillused in describing Furlow. The mayor said Furlow never sought anyglory for the many good deeds he did to help the city and itspeople.

Furlow, 51, worked for the city for 32 years, beginning with thecity fire department in 1973. After 12 years as a firefighter, hemoved to the city water department and worked more than 12 years inseveral capacities there.

In 1997, he was named traffic supervisor, in charge of streetssigns and signals. He was named mayoral assistant under BillGodbold and was recently named departmental coordinator underMassengill.

Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop said the community had lost a goodman and a good friend. He said there are just a few people you meetin life that you can truly say make a difference in the lives ofjust about everybody they meet.

“Jimmy Furlow was one of those people,” Bishop said. “He was oneof the kindest, most versatile and genuine people I’ve evermet.”

At the chamber of commerce Thursday afternoon, former PresidentKenny Goza said Furlow had a genuine care for people and thecommunity and never sought credit for the many things he did tohelp.

“He’ll be one of the most missed people I know of inBrookhaven,” said Kenny Goza, who was seen often with Furlow asthey traveled around working on chamber activities or citybusiness. “He’s one of the the most unselfish people I’ve evermet.”

In addition to his city duties, Furlow took responsibility forhanging chamber banners on utility poles downtown and was heavilyinvolved in preparations for the Ole Brook Festival and otherchamber functions. Furlow’s volunteer efforts were honored lastyear when he was named grand marshal of the annual Christmasparade.

“Everywhere you looked, he was always doing something for thecommunity,” said King’s Daughter Medical Center Chief ExecutiveOfficer Philip Grady.

Byrd lingered outside her Main Street restaurant as she paintedthe sign and talked about her friend and customer.

“Everybody loved Furlow, black and white,” Byrd said.

Byrd recalled an incident shortly after she opened herrestaurant. She said Furlow gave up his place in line to carrytrays to the table for two elderly women with walkers.

“Nobody else in the line even thought to do that,” Byrdsaid.

Furlow ate at the restaurant at least four times a week,occasionally with his wife, Sheila, and their children, Byrd said.He would get the baked chicken because he didn’t want to get fatand skipped cornbread to cut down on calories, she said.

“The only time he didn’t come here is when he had a meetingdowntown,” Byrd said.

Byrd said Furlow was like a daddy to many and was alwayshumble.

“He never acted like a big shot. He always acted like he was oneof us,” Byrd said.

Brookhaven Exchange Club members remembered Furlow as theirmeeting Thursday night. Harold Gary said his long-time fellow clubmember was “one of a kind.”

“We’ve lost a dear friend and a dedicated member,” Gary said.”It’s left a void that will never be replaced.”