Ruth Coombs Guthrie

Ruth Coombs Guthrie (88) of Mesa, Arizona passed away May 20, 2018 surrounded by loved ones. She was born February 4, 1930 in Richfield, Colorado to Edward Burton Coombs and Deycie Belle Hutchins. Ruth was the 13th of 15 children. The Coombs family loved to sing, dance, and play games. After her mother's premature death in 1935, the family moved to Arizona where Ruth graduated from Mesa High School in 1948. Ruth married Loren Vaughan Guthrie III in the Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 22, 1952. They spent 44 years together until Loren's death on May 18, 1996. Ruth is survived by her brother Lyle Coombs, sons Ed (Elaine) and Reed (Laurel), and daughters Jodie, Winifred, Jennifer Packard (Richard), and Shelley as well as 35 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren. Two weeks after their wedding, Loren left for Air Force basic training in San Antonio, Texas. With Ruth's support, Loren eventually attained the rank of Major. Service in the U.S. Air Force took their family to Texas, England, Alaska, Virginia, and New Mexico. Ruth was an active homemaker, mother, and friend. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings including primary teacher, young women advisor, Relief Society president, and 14 years as ward librarian. She served as a service missionary in the Mesa Cannery and as a temple worker in the Mesa Temple. Ruth's most notable service however, is the love and care she demonstrated to each member of her family. She deeply loved her siblings, children, and grandchildren. Ruth always loved to have everyone together. Her door was always open to family and friends. Her family will fondly remember the party each Wednesday afternoon known as Grandma Day where a healthy mix of love and chaos blended perfectly together as cousins became friends. Ruth cherished these days and all visits with family members. Funeral services will be held Thursday May 31, 2018 at the LDS chapel at 1415 E. Southern Ave in Mesa at 11 a.m. preceded by viewings at the same location at 10 a.m. that morning and the night before, Wednesday May 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Interment at the Mesa City Cemetery 1212 N. Center St. Cemetery Details City of Mesa Cemetery 1212 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201 Loading map Previous Events Visitation MAY 30. 6:00 AM (MT) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1415 E. Southern Ave. Mesa, AZ 85204 Loading map Visitation MAY 31. 10:00 AM (MT) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1415 E. Southern Ave. Mesa, AZ 85204 Loading map Funeral Service MAY 31. 11:00 AM (MT) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1415 E. Southern Ave. Mesa, AZ 85204 Loading map