Valerie Leigh Guthrie

It is with profound sadness that the family of Valerie Leigh Guthrie, 45, announces her passing on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Val will be lovingly remembered by her parents, Fred & Delores Guthrie; her sister, Vickie Edwards; her nephew, Greg & Shannon Swats; her great-nephew, Savior; her great-nieces, Serenity, Lea, and Abby; along with numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and family members of choice.

Val was larger than life and did everything with excellence. She attended Georgia State on a scholarship for fast-pitch softball where she graduated with a Batchelor of Arts degree in 1994. She excelled at her Customer Service/Logistics Rep. position at Kuehne Nagle Inc. She gleaned many close friends during her career. She expanded these friendships with community service by being a member of the "Boot-Scoot & Boobies", a group that raised money for breast cancer research, and also with trivia where her excellence would often lead to victory. She posted on her faceboock that her last game was 124 points, or for those of you who don't play: four perfect rounds and first place.

She found her calling when her precious "Boulder Boy" entered her life fourteen years ago. She joined the Southbound Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club and entered a show ring for the first time. On the same weekend, in the same building, eight years later, Boulder earned three Select Dog wins and became a Grand Champion. Val worked tirelessly to improve the breed and showcase the nobleness of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. This last May, Val was awarded an AKC (American Kennel Club) Outstanding Sportsman Award. The AKC defines Swissies as faithful, dependable, and family-oriented. These words are a perfect description of Val as well. Her current baby, Ripken, has also excelled under her love. His Grand Championships and the championships that have been and continue to be won by his off-spring will forever be a tribute to Val's dedication and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations in Val's name be made either to The Leukemia and Lymphomas Society, https://donate.lls.org/, or to The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rescue Foundation, http://www.gsmdrescue.org/.

A celebration of Val’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 22, in the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home with a reception to follow.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.