Mary Lea Guffey, the daughter of William A. and Anna Laura (Ford) Guffey, was born June 19, 1919 in Wayne County, Kentucky. She passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 96 years, 11 months and 24 days.
At the age of two, Mary moved from Kentucky with her parents and siblings to Page County, Iowa. She graduated from Red Oak High School in l937. Mary continued her education at Red Oak Junior College, earning a teacher's certificate. She began her teaching career in rural county schools and attended summer classes working towards her degree. In 1951, she received her Bachelors of Arts degree from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas. Mary taught students at Farragut, Shenandoah, Wales-Lincoln and then in Red Oak at Washington Elementary. She retired after 46 years of teaching. Mary enjoyed working in her yard and flower gardens, doing crossword puzzles and making counted cross-stitch pieces. Mary was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Red Oak and Retired Teachers Association.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Elizabeth Guffey; brothers: Ray Guffey and James B. "Jack" Guffey; an infant sister and brother; brother-in-law, Robert Heckert; sisters-in-law: Rozella Guffey and Betty Guffey and nephew, Jim Guffey.
Mary is survived by her sister, Martha Heckert of Red Oak, IA; nephews: Ray (Sue) Guffey and Rodney (Lois) Guffey; nieces: Dora (Myrle) McCullough, Ruth (Jerry) Blackmore and Janell (Richard) Rankin; many great-nieces and nephews; several great-great-nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Funeral Service will be held
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
At the First Baptist Church in Red Oak.
Burial at Mt Hope Cemetery, Nyman.
Rev. Len Taylor, Officiating
Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home
Memorials to the First Baptist Church.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
