Published: July 21, 2008 01:42 am            

Reverend Etta Bell Guthrie

Services for Reverend Etta Bell Guthrie age 75, of Palestine will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Grace & Truth Gospel Tabernacle with Rev. John Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.

Reverend Guthrie died Saturday at Palestine Regional Medical Center. She was born December 25, 1932 in Palestine to Willie Frank and Mattie Mason Armstrong. Reverend Guthrie was the Co-Pastor of the Grace and Truth Gospel Tabernacle for 54 years, she also was a newspaper carrier in Anderson County for many years, retired from TDCJ Gurney Unit as mailroom supervisor, and was also a director of Sunshine Preschool and Day Care Center.

Reverend Guthrie was preceded in death by her parents, son Gale Ray Essary, a grandson Jonathan Cook, her first husband Rev. Willerson Essary and five brothers. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Reverend R.F. Guthrie of Palestine, daughters Deborah Cook and husband John of Palestine, Martha Bing and husband Terry of Oakwood, Mary Brooks and husband Phillip of Elkhart, and Effie Williams and husband Steve of Neches, sons Paul Essary and wife Doenye of Deer Park, sister Effie Walding of Palestine, brother A.J. Armstrong of Palestine, fifteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren

Pallbearers will be E.W. “Bubba” Abbott, Jimmy Collins, Jefferey Cook, John David Cook, Joshua Bracke, Brandon Brooks, Ricky Brooks and Hank Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be Dave Brooks, Gary Hughes, Murray Crutcher, Wade Dickson, Jimmy Turner, Cecil Crutcher, and Ted Crutcher.

Condolence calls will be received from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home.

        

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