Helen Louise Grissom Guthrie, 89, died Tuesday, March 4 of natural causes following a years-long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born June 6, 1924, to the late John Curl and Kathrynn Grissom. She married William Leonard Guthrie in 1940 and they lived a long life together in the Dibrell community, where they ran the family business, Guthrie Nursery.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard and son Barry Lee Guthrie.
Above all else, she loved her family and church. She will be remembered by family and friends as a kind and giving person who was always ready to help those in need.
She passes on a legacy of dedication and generosity to her daughters Will Ann (J.D.) Ellis of Cookeville and Amy (Larry) Green of McMinnville; sisters, Curlene Locke and Linda Hall of Hermitage; brothers, Edwin (Betty) Grissom of Rock Island and Joe (Ann) Grissom of McMinnville; grandchildren, Keith Winningham, Scott Winningham, Merrill (Mike) Oliver, Laura (Rob) Sparkman, Carrie Green, Will Guthrie, Adam Green, Alex Guthrie, and John Guthrie; and great-grandchildren Allison Green, Robert Sparkman, Briley Green, Jace Oliver, Kennedy Sparkman, and Layla Guthrie. She is also survived by her caregivers during the past four years, both at her home and the Life Care Center of Sparta.
Visitation and funeral services will be held Friday, March 7 at McMinnville Funeral Home followed by burial at Martin Cemetery in DeKalb County. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or to “Day of the Lord” at Gath Baptist Church.
McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) March 7, 2014