Mary Frances Carwile Guthrie

Frances Carwile Guthrie, age 86, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2013. Originally from Gladys, Virginia, the daughter of Sara and Ludwell Asa Carwile, Frances was a resident of the Peninsula for over 60 years.

Frances was an avid gardener and collector of antique dolls. She operated an antique and collectibles shop before retiring from the business a number of years ago. She served her country during World War II as an administrative aide at the War Department in Washington, D.C. Seemingly vowed to secrecy, the only thing Frances ever mentioned about her wartime experience was the honor of meeting the Marines who planted the American flag on Iwo Jima. While Frances served stateside, her husband “T” served in the Navy in the Pacific. Worthy of a Nicholas Sparks novel, there are too many letters to count that Frances and her beloved husband shared during the war. Frances was well known for entertaining and her love of cooking. If there ever was a dish of hers you liked she would prepare it whenever you were a guest. She was a generous person who would help a relative, a friend or even a new acquaintance in need. Dearly loved by her family and friends, too many to mention here, Frances will be sorely missed.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Winfred Tune Guthrie; grandson, Zachary Logan Proctor; brothers, Willie, Sidney, Ludwell, Melvin, and Edward; and sisters, Ruth, Mildred and Laura. She is survived by her sister, Edith Dejarnette of Cary, NC; daughter, Dianne Guthrie Proctor and husband, Mike of Atlanta, GA; son, W. T. Guthrie, Jr. and wife, Melissa of Hampton; grandson, Jameson Proctor of Brooklyn, NY; and granddaughters, Christin and Lauren Guthrie of Hampton.

The family expresses its sincere thanks to the caregivers at Eden Court and its heartfelt gratitude to Joann and Candi who provided Frances with loving care and unconditional kindness until the very end.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at 3:30 pm on Friday, September 6, at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave. in Hampton, 23666.