Frances May Guthrie

Just shy of her 102nd birthday, Frances May Guthrie passed away quietly at her home on February 24, 2011. She was born March 18, 1909 in Camden, Arkansas, and came to Monroe as a young child. She became a
revered member of the community whose volunteer leadership and church support will be long remembered.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Phonni and Frank May, her husband, J. Grayson Guthrie, her daughter, Fran Guthrie Talley, son, Jim Guthrie, infant grandson, William Grayson Talley and her brothers, Thomas E. May and Jack O. May.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Frances Talley Jones and her husband Donald Jones, great-grandchildren, Grayson, Thomas and Mary Frances Jones of Dallas, Texas, her sisters, Kathryn May Jenkins of Ruston and Stella May McStravick of Monroe as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Guthrie was a charter member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where she served as the church pianist as well as the Chairwoman of the Alter Guild. She was a member of the Monroe Garden League where she served as Chaplin for many years. She co-founded the Monroe Symphony League, served as an emeritus board member, received its Board of Governor’s Award for Service and is remembered annually by the “Grayson and Frances Guthrie Service Award”.

Mrs. Guthrie was the first recipient of the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council’s “Mary Lee Milam Award” for her work in the arts. She also received the “Louise Seymour Community Impact Award” of 2001 given by the Monroe Junior Charity League, an organization in which she held membership since the 1930s. Her involvement with the Junior League supported the Baby Clinic at St. Francis Hospital and the Children’s Reading Room at the Ouachita Parish Library.

Mrs. Guthrie was a member and officer of several other organizations including The Musical Coterie and P.E.O., The Little Theater of Monroe, The Twin City Art Foundation and Entre Nous Book Club.

Mrs. Guthrie was active into her nineties playing Bridge with friends, participating in the Monroe Garden Study League and keeping a close and loving relationship with her family.

The family would like to acknowledge, with gratitude, her caregivers, particularly Carole Dey, Misty Johnston and Trey Burton.

A Memorial will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Monday, February 28, 2011 with Visitation at 1:00 and Services at 2:00 P.M.

Any donations may be made to the Monroe Symphony, Louisiana Arts Council or St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com