Mary Ellen Braswell Guthrie of Cullman passed away on April 18, 2023 at Hanceville Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Guthrie was born at the home of her parents, the Reverend A. E. Braswell and Johnnie Blackwelder Braswell in Walter in Cullman County on January 19, 1929. She spent many years living in the Walter Community, meeting her husband, John Guthrie there and starting their family of three children, Marsha, John, and David.
Her husband, John was elected to represent Cullman County in the Alabama State House of Representatives in 1958 and while not personally enjoying the political spotlight; she was supportive of his political and business endeavors and assisted however she could. In later years, John and Mary moved to Cullman where she resided until moving to HNRC. Wherever Mary lived she enhanced the beauty of her home with beautiful flowers and landscaping and her love of antiques.
Mrs. Guthrie was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. and Mrs. A.E. Braswell, her husband, John J. Guthrie and her siblings, Emily(Gordon) Tucker, Edith(Tracy) Webb, Ray(Artel) Braswell, and Willie Dale Braswell. She is survived by her sister Jane Cobb (William) of Cullman, a daughter, Former First Lady Marsha Guthrie Folsom (James, Jr.) of Cullman, John J. Guthrie, Jr. (Donna) of Cullman, Jonathan David Guthrie (Lori) of Spartanburg, S.C. She was a devoted grandmother of seven; Mary Meghan Folsom (Garrick Ambrose) of Ghent, NY, James E. Folsom, III (Jamie) of Nashville, TN, Lindsay Guthrie Stidham (Graham) of Cullman, Peyton Guthrie of Cullman, J.J. Guthrie, III (Lily) of Birmingham, AL, Ian Guthrie (Amanda) of Duncan, S.C. and Noah Guthrie (Haley) of Greer, S.C. Her great-grandchildren are Evie Grey Stidham of Cullman and Walker Folsom Ambrose of Ghent, NY. She is also survived by a host of loving and devoted nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Guthrie was affectionately called “Mimi” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and Mary Ellen by her closest friends. Her steadfast love for her husband John and all her family was exhibited every day through her wit and wisdom, her songs and stories, and later in life at age 90 through her paintings which she loved to share with her family and friends.
Her love for Christmas was legendary. Mary’s Christmas decorations adorned her entire home, both outside and in. Her 12-foot Christmas tree in her living room was the highlight. It was adorned with ornaments and thousands of lights, ornaments she had collected from her travels and from her children and grandchildren. She delighted in watching childrens’ faces as they sat gazing at its splendor. In her heart every day was Christmas as she and everyone who visited her were reminded by the “Old World” life-sized Santa which sat in her living room all year long.
Prior to her move to HNRC in November, 2022; she presented an antique carved wooden angel to her daughter-in-law, Donna Guthrie, administrator of HNRC, to be hung in the chapel where it will remain as a remembrance of Mrs. Guthrie and her love and appreciation for all those who cared for her at HNRC and the love and care they provide for all the residents there.
Graveside services will be held for Mrs. Guthrie on Thursday, April 20 at 2 p.m. at Cullman Memory Gardens. The family requests that memorials be sent in her honor to Cullman Caring For Kids, 402 Arnold St. NE, Cullman, AL. They also wish to thank her many kind and loving caregivers at Hanceville Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center and Southern Care Hospice.
