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Marie Guffey Blevins July 15, 1915-August 9, 2005 Marie Guffey Blevins was born July 15, 1915, at Powersburg, KY, the youngest child of John Francis Guffey and Millie Emerine Hancock Guffey. She departed this life on August 9, 2005, at age 90. Marie and her twin sister, Lee Guffey Abbott, were known as the Guffey Twins. Their parents died during the 1917 measles epidemic so the orphan twins were reared by their Aunt Martha Hancock Asbury and her husband Elijah Asbury. Marie married Guy Kimble Blevins on May 1, 1938. He preceded her in death on their 49th wedding anniversary, May 1, 1987. They made their first home at Parmleysville and later moved to Monticello in 1942. Mrs. Blevins was a dedicated teacher and guidance counselor to Wayne County students for over 33 years. After graduating from Monticello High School at age 17, she was determined to become a teacher. She had to wait a year until she was 18 to be eligible to take the early Kentucky Teacherıs Exam and was one of only three applicants to pass the exam in Wayne County that year. She then taught the Sumpter School at age 18 and started her college education the following spring semester at Campbellsville College. She received degrees from Eastern Kentucky University (BA), the University of Kentucky (MA) and achieved Rank I through additional graduate studies at UK. Her early teaching assignments were one room schools including Sumpter (1934-35), Jennings Hollow (1935-36), Dry Valley (1936-37), Huffaker (1937-38), Bell Point (1938-39), Parmleysville (1939-40), Griffin (1955-56), Jennings Hollow (1956-57) and Spann Hill (1957-58). Later she taught the Wayne County High School Eighth Grade (1958-59), Frisbie Building Sixth/Seventh Grades (1959-61) and Turner Building Sixth Grade (1961-67). Mrs. Blevins taught the first integrated public school in the Kentucky Public School System at the Griffin school on July 18, 1955, following the Supreme Court Desegregation Decision of 1954. This landmark event brought national news coverage to the Griffin School and its dedicated teacher. Earlier this year the Wayne County Museum hosted a Griffin School Integration 50th Anniversary Program which was dedicated in her honor. In 1967, she became the first Guidance Counselor at Wayne County High School and served for 16 years until retiring in May, 1982. She initiated Career Day at WCHS and was most resourceful in finding college and vocational financial aid for many students. One of her greatest pleasures was challenging students to excel and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Monticello and served for over 40 years as a Sunday School record keeper. Her strong faith helped her ³to do what was right² and ³to trust in the Lord². She was very active in professional education organizations including the NEA (KY delegate to two national conventions), KEA, Wayne County Retired Teacherıs, Kentucky School Counselors Association which named her the Outstanding Guidance Counselor in Kentucky in 1977 and Delta Kappa Gamma Society where she was the second person inducted into the Lake Cumberland Iota Chapter. As a long time 4-H Club Leader, she mentored and encouraged many members in their projects, camps and demonstrations. She saw her three sons elected Kentucky State 4-H Club Presidents and win numerous state and national awards. She loved her three sons and their families and was adored by the grandchildren who cherished her enduring love and enjoyed many long summer vacations on the family farm. She loved boating and watching her grandchildren learn to water ski on Lake Cumberland and cheering for the WCHS Cardinals and UK Wildcats. At every opportunity she was always a proud booster for Wayne County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She also enjoyed traveling and achieved her goal of stepping in ³all 50 states² plus many foreign countries. Survivors include her twin sister, Lee Guffey Abbott of Monticello, KY, three sons and their wives, Dr. Parker and Margie Blevins of Austin, TX, Dr. Phillip and Mary Jo Blevins of Jackson, MS, and Dr. Carter and Jo Blevins of Somerset, KY, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The grandchildren are: Grant Richard Blevins and Allison Hope Blevins Stivers who are children of Dr. Parker and Margie Blevins; Michael Joseph Blevins, Katherine Marie Blevins, Steven Matthew Blevins, Phillip Mark Blevins, Elizabeth Martha Blevins, Caroline McDaniel Blevins, and Leah Mary Diderrich Michele Blevins who are children of Dr. Phillip and Mary Jo Blevins; Sydney Jo Blevins daughter of Dr. Carter and Jo Blevins. Great grandchildren are Christopher Reese Blevins who is the son of Michael and Sarah Blevins, and Jacob Arthur Stivers and Ashley Renee Stivers who are children of Allison and Paul Stivers. All other siblings preceded her in death. They included: Nora Mae Guffey Guffey (1899-1967), Hattie Melvina Guffey Dalton (1904-1985), Dalton Luther Guffey (1907-1964), Hollas Francis Guffey (1909-1977) and Vinne Rhine Guffey Davis (1911-1986). The family wishes to thank the home care givers (Pat Barbara, Betty) and the Wayne County community for their compassion during the early stages of her illness and the Somerset Nursing Home for their extended care. Funeral services were held on August 13, 2005, at the First Baptist Church of Monticello and interment at the Elk Spring Cemetery with Pastor Coy Webb officiating. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Marie Guffey Blevins Memorial Fund at the First Baptist Church. Hoyt G. Hickey & Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Add a comment |
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