Sarah Jean Guthrie Mcdonald

On November 30, 2023, Sarah Jean Guthrie McDonald passed this life to the next peacefully and without fear. A devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, younger sister, caring aunt and cousin, former teacher, gifted artist, committed friend, and blessed owner of dogs and cats who was a special person to those who knew her. She experienced for years pulmonary disease which she could never seem to conquer. She is now at peace and suffers no more, breathing finally and fully in her new life. Born on January 29, 1945, at the end of World War II to the Rev. Dr. McCoy and Annie (Davenport) Guthrie in Valdosta, Georgia, she was raised by her United Methodist Minister and school teacher parents, living in Birmingham, Tuscumbia, Gadsden, Jasper and Anniston, Alabama. After graduating from Banks High School in Birmingham, she attended the University of Alabama and graduated from Jacksonville State University with her Bachelor's degree in 1967. She later obtained her Master's Degree in Art from the University of Tennessee. Marrying her husband over 55 years ago on July 12, 1968, she and Carl moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where she worked while Carl attended law school at The Florida State University. After almost a year in Miami, Florida, they moved to Maryville in 1971 where Jean began her 31-year tenure as a social studies and art teacher in the Maryville City School System. One of her joys in retirement was meeting her former students, now adults, who kindly remembered her from their younger days. She was an accomplished artist, and loved gardening and tennis. She and Carl were members of New Providence Presbyterian Church for over 53 years. Jean and Carl had three wonderful children including their grandson adopted in 2002. Jean is predeceased by her parents and Carl's parents, Ewing Raiford and Mary Magdelene McDonald. She is survived by her husband, Carl P. McDonald, her daughter, Tracy (Brian) Beaty of Knoxville, her son, Tobias (Danielle) McDonald of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, her son/grandson, Christopher R. McDonald of Maryville, her sister, Anne (Bill) Camp of Birmingham, Alabama, her brother-in-law and wife, Rev. Dr. George H. (Barbara) McDonald of Spanish Fort, Alabama, as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins galore. A Memorial Service for Jean will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at New Providence Presbyterian Church, 703 West Broadway, Maryville. Interment of her ashes will be a private service earlier that day. The family wishes to extend its thanks for the moments of comfort, love, and support from many of Jean's friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to New Providence Presbyterian Church, 703 West Broadway, Maryville, Tennessee 37801, Blount County Animal Shelter, 233 Currie Avenue, Maryville, Tennessee 37804, or the American Lung Association, 55 Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601.