Marvin Lewis Guffey, 85, of the Idlewild Community near Athens, died Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at his home after a brief illness.
He was born in Long Beach, Washington but was a lifelong resident of the Idlewild Community, he was a son of the late Lewis and Norma Schultze Guffey. He was also preceded in death by his step-mother Mae Guffey, brothers Jim and Bill Guffey, a granddaughter Michelle Guffey and an infant great-granddaughter.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was a 50 year member of the Meigs Masonic Lodge, and a member of Athenian 159 Order of Eastern Star. He retired from Seaton Iron & Metal Company, was a retired bus driver with McMinn County Schools, and he and his wife fostered over 65 children over a 25 year span. His greatest pleasure was gardening with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 60 years, Marjorie Dake Guffey; sons Michael (Wanda) Guffey, Ed Guffey, David (Lacey) Guffey all of Athens; daughter Norma (Rick) Barham of Calhoun; and adopted daughter, Kayla Wilcox of Athens; grandchildren, Mikey Guffey, TImmy Guffey, David Guffey, Carol Crain, Cheryl Moses, Angela Hise, Amber Cooper, Austin Guffey, Joey Murphy, Cayci Garrison, Brad Barham, Danny Guffey, Ethan Wilcox; 27 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Susan (Alan) Plaster of Smyrna, GA; a sister-in-law, Pat Guffey of Dayton; brothers and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth (Hobart) Gentry, R.B. (Catherine) Dake, Becky (JC) Rogers, Tommy (Phyllis) Dake, Carol (Jeff) Matthews, Doug (Judy) Dake, Sue Dake and Shirley Dake and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted, 7:00 pm, Friday, December 22, 2017 in the Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Scott Packett and Rev. Bob Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm Friday at the funeral home prior to the service. A private graveside will be held at a later date in Shell-Guffey Cemetery.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Foster Parent Association c/o Becky Rogers, 638 CR 105, Athens, TN 37303; or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 4, Athens, TN 37371-0004.