Mary H. (Guthrie) Reith

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our mother, Mary H. Guthrie Reith, who passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026, after battling congestive heart failure and kidney failure. Mary was born April 6, 1940, in Ozark, Arkansas. She graduated from Ozark High School and went on to pursue a career in nursing, where she devoted her life to caring for others. She received her ADN degree and became a Registered Nurse (RN). During her nursing career, Mary served as a unit charge nurse on the oncology unit at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, where she was honored as Employee of the Year. She also helped organize the volunteer hospice program and worked with the “I Can Cope” program supporting cancer patients and families. She later worked in hospice care for 27 years and continued helping others through home health until her retirement. 

She is survived by her children Randy Reith, Diane Shumate, Greg Reith, and Donna Reith; her sister Doris Earp and her brother Don Gresham. She is also survived by her grandchildren and their families: Josh Shumate and his wife Dana, with daughters Phoebe and Zoey of Plano, Texas; Cody Shumate; Zach Shumate and his wife Kristen with sons Tyler and Mayson; Ashley Hout and Justin with son Theodore of Fort Smith; Aaron Dobbins and his wife Fernanda of Fayetteville; Amber Dobbins of Fort Smith; Kyle Reith; and Darren Phelan of Roland, Oklahoma. 

She was preceded in death by James and Maudie Guthrie; her siblings; Ruth Collins, James Guthrie, Helen Brown, and Reba Guthrie; and her beloved husband, Robert H. Reith.

Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart of Mary in Barling, with Father Matt officiating. A rosary will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. She will be cremated and laid to rest next to her husband at the National Cemetery. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her compassion, strength, and the love she gave so freely to others.

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