Derwood Franklin Guthrie

Derwood Franklin Guthrie of Farmville, Virginia passed away peacefully at home on September 3, 2024. Born on October 24, 1932 in Lynchburg, Virginia, he was the son of the late Atha and Cellie Guthrie. He was preceded in death by a sister, Sylvia Guthrie. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Jane Pennington Guthrie; his children Cyndia Guthrie St. Claire (Bill), Craig Anderson Guthrie, Anne Savedge Mayes (Michael), and Sarah Guthrie Letterman (Steven); and grandchildren Nicholas Mayes, Chappell Mayes, Ethan Letterman, and Emma Letterman. Raised in Farmville, Derwood always knew the value of hard work. He spent his time before and after school delivering newspapers on his bike and helping with chores both at home and in his parents’ service station. He attended Farmville High School before joining the United States Air Force at the beginning of the Korean War. Stationed in Japan, he worked as a mechanic on A-26s, which inspired his lifelong love of flight. While in Japan, he also climbed Mt. Fuji, played saxophone in an Air Force Division Band, and sang in a barbershop quartet. Upon returning to Farmville, he received Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Longwood College and later worked on a Doctorate from the University of Virginia. He was an extraordinary educator, teaching in Maryland and Delaware before coming home to Farmville to teach at Longwood’s J.P. Wynne Campus School and eventually retire from Buckingham County High School. Throughout his career teaching grades 5 - 12, this beloved and inspirational teacher positively impacted the lives of thousands of young people. Education was his passion, and he never forgot the children who walked through his classroom doors. In addition to teaching, Derwood excelled at a variety of other jobs throughout his lifetime. He was a DJ and announcer on WFLO Radio, the night manager of a conference center, a butcher shop employee, an insurance salesman, and a driver for local car dealerships. Derwood was a man of faith who loved God and recognized the importance of serving his community and his country. After leaving the Air Force, he joined the Army Reserves. He was a member of the Buckingham County Volunteer Rescue Squad, the local VFW, and the Farmville Exchange Club. During retirement, he volunteered weekly at Southside Community Hospital, and he helped students at Fuqua High School build an airplane. He also quietly and anonymously gave to many organizations and people in need. He was an avid nonfiction reader who also enjoyed motorcycles, model airplanes, photography, hot sauces, gardening, walking, flying, thunderstorms, and a good hot dog! Derwood was a brilliant man who never stopped learning. He took painting lessons and flying lessons well into his 80s. But most of all, Derwood enjoyed his family. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren fiercely and treasured time with his extended family and friends. Derwood’s positive, gentle spirit and extraordinary sense of humor will never be forgotten. He found joy and beauty in all situations and every conversation with him was sure to include wonderful stories and many laughs. He was a humble man who shied away from praise, but to those who knew him, he was certainly “one in a million.” 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 21 st at 9:30 AM at Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville. The 11:00 AM memorial service at Puckett will be immediately followed by interment at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Rice. Afterward, there will be a reception at the Guthrie home at 112 Belmont Circle. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Piedmont Area Veterans Council or the Buckingham County Volunteer Rescue Squad.