Obituary of Donna Bertha Guthrie

Donna Bertha Guthrie, age 76, of Moberly, MO entered the Kingdom of Heaven surrounded by family, on July 10, 2019 at University Hospital, Columbia, MO. “Donnie” was born February 1, 1943 in Kansas City, MO to Ira and Essie (Vanderbilt) Higginbotham. She graduated from Tonganoxie High School, Tonganoxie, KS. Donna married Larry Guthrie on February 26, 1966 in Reno, KS. She was a member of Sweet Springs Baptist Church for over 50 years, serving the Lord as a Sunday School teacher for many of those years and other areas as she was called. She enjoyed attending church and ladies’ missionary meetings. She was the matriarch of her family. Donna loved each one of her family members beyond measure and would do whatever she could to help them. She worked tirelessly as her children grew up to ensure the needs of everyone around her were met. She was an intricate part of her grandchildren’s life and assisted as a caregiver when their parents worked to help guide them in God’s path. She enjoyed sewing and took great pride making clothes for her children and grandchildren. The girls all had detailed Barbie and dolls clothes made with love. She got a big chuckle out of watching the boys sew on a button or mend up a pair of pants because they had a unique style. She followed the grandchildren in all their sports including watching softball games, tennis matches, wrestling, football and all others as they grew up. She made sure to get a picture of every deer or fish the kids, grandkids or Daddy, would bring home. She never missed calling in a birthday to the KWIX radio show. Donna was a multi-year State Archery Champion. She taught her grandchildren how to shoot a bow. She spoke of her annual trips to the Archery Tournament with either Shanna or Trevin until the very end. She loved to travel and took many trips and even visited Graceland. Her last was to Ryman Auditorium a Museum and the Grand Ole Opry for an all-girls family trip. She proudly served in several roles with the OATs of Randolph County. Donna is preceded in death by her father Ira Higginbotham, mother Essie Higginbotham, in-laws Orville and Norine Guthrie, sibling Neil Alvin Higginbotham, niece Geneva Bruch and dear friend Suzie Hulett. Donna is survived by her husband, Larry Guthrie, daughter Deborah (Andy) Willis, son Orville (Amber) Guthrie, siblings Elsie Waln-Cordle, Loren (Ivana) Higginbotham, Keith Higginbotham, sisters-in-law Judy (Norman) Shoemate and Mary Higginbotham, grandchildren Shanna (Sean) Garrett, Victoria (Shane) Gutmann, Andrew Lewis, Trevin Guthrie, Dominick Guthrie, Kyler Guthrie, great grandchildren Ava and James Garrett and soon to arrive Baby Gutmann, Clayton and Chase Gutmann along with several nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation celebrating Donna’s life is Tuesday July 16 11:00-1:00 at Pathways Memorial Funeral Home, Moberly, MO, services immediately following. Her final Earthly resting place will be Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville, MO. If desired, donations may be sent to OATS or family choice in her memory.