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Peggy C. Guthrie, 86, of Paris passed from this life Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at Dubuis Hospital of Paris.
Starrett Funeral Home is to conduct memorial services at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Van Lazaroff, Rev. Sharon Clepper, Rev. Beverly Olsen and Rev. Mark Hutchison officiating. Serving as eulogists are Mike “Sparky” Rhodes and Joanna Armstrong.
The family receives friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, at the funeral home.
She was born Nov. 23, 1923, in College Station, on the campus of Texas A&M University, a daughter of Alfredo and Aurora Nunez Medina. Her mother later married Leonard David Trevino, who raised her and she knew as her father, and was a loving grandfather to her children. She entered A&M Consolidated Elementary School at the age of five, speaking no English. In 1940, she graduated from A&M Consolidated High School, where she was salutatorian of her class. She was voted most popular senior girl and received a medal in drama. She attended Texas A&M University during summer school. She then entered the Texas State College for Women (now TWU), where she was freshman counselor during her sophomore year and was foreign language assistant to Dr. Rebecca Switzer. That same year, she was inducted into the Chapparal Club. She graduated with a degree in Foreign Trade and Spanish. Following graduation, she went to work for Braniff Airways in the Training Department. She taught airline hostesses conversational Spanish and assisted Hispanic pilots with communication problems. She helped translate the Radio Communications Manual with Mexican personnel. She was personal secretary to Mr. Cliff Ewing, Training Department Head for Braniff Airways. Peggy left Braniff to work for the A. Harris & Company as private secretary to Promotion Manager, Mrs. Margaret Evans, also doing translation and interpreting as needed at the store.
She met James E. (Jimmy) Guthrie in November of 1945, and they were married April 7, 1946. He preceded her in death Sept. 7, 2000. She attended Paris Junior College, and obtained her Masters degree from East Texas State University. She taught for one year at PJC, and for one year at ETSU. She received the Finest Teacher Award from Paris High School in 1967, where she taught until her retirement in 1983.
She served on the board of Co-Ministry, serving as chairperson following 10 years of service as secretary, as well as having been a volunteer since 1991. She was a member of the board of the Paris Public Library, was a volunteer with CASA for Kids, the Salvation Army, RSVP (from whom she received her 15-year pin and 20-year pins), and Family Haven. She was a member of Church Women United and was highly honored by the organization in recognition of Outstanding Service for Humanitarian Endeavors in September 2007. She was also a member of Littleton-Hite Bible Club, United Methodist Women, Esther Circle and Mary Circles, and the Paris Retired Teachers Association. She was a past member of The Little Black Book Poetry Society and the International Poetry Society, as well as St. Joseph’s Auxillary. She was a current member and secretary of Local A.A.R.P. #918. She did extensive translation work throughout the Paris area and was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was an avid participant in PrimeTime, where she was a “Flaming Red Hatter.” A devoted member of First United Methodist Church since 1947, she was a member of the Couples Class and served on the We Care committee, having also served as a Sunday School teacher. Her hobbies were doing God’s work, spending time with family, embroidering, reading and writing poetry. Several items of her poetry had been published.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Sandra Parton and husband, Leon, of Dallas and daughter, Pam Pruett of Paris; grandchildren, James Nicholson and wife, Anne, of Pearland, Rebecca Clive and husband, George, of Little Elm, Heather Norton of Philadelphia, Penn., Hillary Parton of New York City, and Rease Parton of Arlington; great-grandchildren, Britney Clive Cave and husband, Brandon, of Lewisville, Jessica Clive and Devin Jacob Clive, both of Little Elm; and a great-great-granddaughter, Joselyn Dominguez of Little Elm; special niece, Melissa Jumper of Paris; as well as extended family scattered around the country here and in Mexico; and many cherished students throughout her years of teaching.
If desired, memorial contributions are requested to Co-Ministry, P. O. Box 1491, Paris, Texas 75461-1491.
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Larry Whitener
Such a wonderful and sweet soul, Mrs. Guthrie would come in periodically to my store. In listening to her talk, I knew that she loved people and loved the Creator. I marvelled at her kindness and gentleness. How lucky could I be, as I knew her and loved her. God bless you, dear lady.....Marcie Griffin
Peggy was such a blessing to so many people, and I remember both her and Jimmy's kindness to myself and family when my mother was in the hospital dying. I want to send my apologies to her daughter, Pam, in particular, for not being aware of the passing of either of her parents. She was at my mother's bedside almost as much as I was and gave me so much support. Peggy was a great, great teacher and she and Jimmy were both wonderful neighbors, friends, and angels to my family. God bless your whole family, they will be sorely missed!
Karen Bean (Barber)
She was such a very sweet person and I know she has her crown of glory in heaven where she sits beside my father JAMES HOWARD BEAN and all the other angels that have gone before them. When I was living in Paris back in 2001 taking care of my father who was in the hospital and being there for my mom Berimah, Mrs Guthrie invited me to come to her house to have lunch and I did. She was so sweet and food was very good and her company was very special . She made me feel like part of her family. I just wish I could have got to know her better. Peggy will very much missed by us all.