Helen was born on October 5, 1924 in Batesville, Arkansas, to the parents of Lucien and Eudola (Morris) Reaves. She grew up in Moorefield on the family farm and attended Blue Creek school. During her high school years, she attended Sulfur Rock High School where she played on the basketball team. She excelled in academics and earned a Life Scholarship to attend Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Missouri. While attending Business College, she met Stanley Ray Guthrie. They were married on October 14, 1944. While her husband was overseas, Helen worked for the Rider Motor Company as the bookkeeper/steno in Batesville, AR. When the war ended, she and Stan made their home in Batesville where their two children, Gregory Elias and Glenda Beth, were born.
In 1960, Helen and Stan moved the family to Memphis, TN where Stan worked as an Air Traffic Controller. Helen maintained the home as a full-time wife, mother, and homemaker. Helen loved animals and had a passion for music. She learned to play the piano at an early age. She was the church pianist for many years and participated in WMU mission activities. She was a good cook, decorator, always exhibited grace and good etiquette, and loved to do her patriotic duty by working in the election polls of her community. In 2003, Helen and Stan moved to Harrisonville, MO where they enjoyed community dances in Garden City, Adrian, and Harrisonville.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her husband. She is survived by one son, Greg Guthrie (Renee) of Lenexa, KS; one daughter, Glenda Beth Guthrie of Harrisonville, MO; 3 grandchildren: Lauren Lamoreux (Dustin), Jonathan Guthrie (Tara), Nathan Guthrie, D.C.; and 3 great-grandchildren: Emery and Barrett Lamoreux, and Grace Guthrie.
