Shirley Guthrie

Born October 31, 1937, Shirley was a lifelong resident of Tyler and East Texas. She lived vivaciously and touched countless lives with her warmth, generosity, great character, and immense love and spirit. She was always the first to lend a helping hand, look to others' needs before her own, and turn a negative experience into a positive one. Born during the tough times of the 1930's, her style, integrity, honor, and commitment to any and all tasks or persons made her a true saint in the eyes of many. She lost a courageous battle with cancer on June 27, 2006. She will be greatly missed, was deeply loved, and always cherished. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Winnie Isbell. She is survived by her son Scott Guthrie and daughter-in-law Ellen Guthrie of Tyler, Texas; by her son Grant Guthrie of Austin, Texas and his fiancÚe Karen Urbanek of San Antonio, Texas; by three sisters Charlene Miller of Tyler, Texas, Billie McGrew of Maumelle, Arkansas, and Margie Gammon of Arlington, Texas; by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews and countless friends and by her beloved Grand Dog, Mickey. Despite being raised in conditions of poverty Shirley overcame long odds and many obstacles to become a Legal Secretary for nine years (with self taught, at home training), the Administrator for David Fender and his various interests in oil, real estate, and banking, a top salesperson with Ben Fitzgerald Realty, a business owner of Nail Perfection, and a successful Sales Associate and Manager for AFLAC Insurance. Of all her many successes, she excelled most of all as a Christian, trusting in the Lord with all her heart mind and soul, as a friend and neighbor, and as a Mom. Scott and Grant Guthrie could not have had a finer Mother. Shirley was a member of Rose Heights Church of God and loved the Lord deeply. The family wishes to express special thanks to Pastors James Dill, Doug Anderson, and Bo Richardson; to the entire Rose Heights Family; to Shirley's special nieces Shawn Gray and Sherry Allison, to Shirley's special friends Captain Robert (Bob) McNutt and Jackie Brasfield and to all the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at Tyler Hematology, the 6th Floor of East Texas Medical Center, and Hospice Home Place of Tyler for their tender loving care during the past few weeks. You are all God's Angels here on earth. Pallbearers are Shane Gray, Steve Allison, Don Coughlin, Al Owen, Don Robert Johnson, and Mike Evans. Honorary Pallbearers are Bob McNutt, David Fender, Ben Fitzgerald, and Jake Mulford. A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, June 29, 2006 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy from 6:30-8 pm in Tyler, and the memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 30, 2006, at Rose Heights Church of God at 2120 Old Omen Road in Tyler. Flowers may be sent to Stewart Family Funeral Home or Rose Heights Church of God and memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of East Texas or the Aflac Cancer Center c/o Children's Health Care of Atlanta Georgia.

Shirley Guthrie

October 31, 1937 - June 27, 2006