Buna Bell Carter Guthrie, age 103, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at Trinity Mission Health and Rehab in Italy.

Buna was born on August 5, 1910, to Joseph Whelan and Mary Delilah Smith Carter in DeKalb, Tennessee. The family moved to Texas when she was almost 15 years of age, traveling by train to Dallas, Texas, and then on to Italy, Texas, by interurban. The family lived in Forreston, Texas, for several years where she attended school. Buna was the middle child of six, with two older sisters and three younger brothers.

Buna married the love of her life, Otis Guthrie, of Forreston, Texas, on August 6, 1929, at the age of 19. They lived and farmed outside of Italy, Texas. She was married to Otis for 65 years until his death in 1994. From this union three daughters were born.

Buna loved her family, home and church and was most definitely the wind beneath their wings. She was a faithful member of the Central Baptist Church since 1939. She began her loving Christian ministry to children up to four years of age which she continued for 47 years including two and three generations from the same family. A testimony to her dedication is many of those “grown-up” children whose lives she touched continued to visit her up until her death.

For many years, Buna was known for preparing lavish dinners that were enjoyed by friends and family. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, playing cards, reading and socializing with her peers and family. She enriched the lives of those who knew her with her creative gifts and her love.

She is survived by her daughters, Betty Jo (Jackson) Burks of Waxahachie, Texas; Patsy Ruth Berrier (Russell) of Millsap, Texas; and Carol Anne (Leffler) Lineback (Bill) of Casper, Wyoming; her brother, Clyde E. Carter of Burleson, Texas; and one nephew Billy Bob Bradford of Fort Worth, Texas. Five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Grady and Jack Carter; two sisters, Mona Bradford and Gladys Gipson and three sons-in-law, Bobby Jackson, Kendal Burks and Charles Leffler.

Memorials may be made to the Central Baptist Church, Italy, Texas or to the donors choice.

Visitation for family and friends will be 6 to 8 PM Sunday, November 24, 2013 in the Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Chapel in Italy.

Funeral service will be on Monday, November 25, 2013 at 2:00pm at the Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Chapel in Italy with pastor Joseph Barrett officiating. Interment will follow at the Forreston Cemetery.