Bruce Guthrie

Mr. Guthrie is preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Janelle Guthrie, and son, Bruce Henderson Guthrie II.

He is survived by his second wife, Dorotha Guthrie, daughter Deborah Irene Guthrie-Tripp and husband Joe Tripp, daughter Kimberly Joyce Nash and husband, Robert T. Nash, and stepson, William Ray McConnell, daughter-in-law Leslie Allison Hope-Guthrie, grandson, William Bruce Guthrie and granddaughter, Michelle Hope Guthrie.

Mr. Guthrie was born on May 24, 1929 in Chattanooga. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17. Upon completion of his service he was honorably discharged on March 31, 1948. He returned to school and was graduated from Central High School in 1949 and enrolled in Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee to study law the same year.

While attending law school he met his future wife Bettye Jannelle Johnson and they were married on November 13, 1953. He was graduated from Cumberland School of Law and admitted to The State Bar of Tennessee the same year. He established his practice in Chattanooga and was eventually joined by the late Paul Sorrick, Gary Disheroon, and his late son, Bruce Henderson Guthrie II. Mr. Guthrie also served for many years as an Assistant District Attorney in the United States District Court Eastern District of Tennessee. He lost his wife suddenly in 1993 and spent two years in mourning. He met his second wife, Dorotha McConnell, through the auspices of a family friend. They were married on Saint Valentine's Day in 1997.

Mr. Guthrie loved the law in theory and practice and continued to practice law until his death. He was an active and dedicated member of Ridgedale Baptist Church, Chattanooga Lodge Number 199 F&AM and Alhambra Shrine Temple.

A remembrance and visitation is scheduled from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-East Chapel, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, Tennessee 37412. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life and times of Billy Bruce Guthrie.

A brief funeral service officiated by Senior Pastor Bill Owens of GraceWorks Church will be held at 1:00 PM.

Condolences and/or flowers may be sent to the family home and/or funeral home. Alternately, those who knew him or of him may send donations to Alhambra Shrine Temple, Crippled Children’s Fund, 1000 Alhambra Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice & Home Health Care for their considerable efforts and dedication to making his last days comfortable.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist. 404 South Moore Road. Please share your condolences at www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com.

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