FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Barbara “Janelle” Guthrie passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of family on June 14, 2026, in Middleton, Wis. Janelle had moved to Wisconsin from Franklin, Tenn., in 2025 to be closer to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had lived most of her life in the Nashville, Tenn., area.

Janelle was born in Bristow, Okla., in 1937; she was the oldest of three children. Her parents worked at her grandparents’ bakery, and she had stories of war-time rationing and riding in the bread delivery truck. The family moved around many times, even to Anchorage, Alaska, for a year. Janelle went to high school at Will Rogers High School, where she discovered her love of dancing. After high school she attended Oklahoma State University for one year but had to leave for full time work to help her family. She worked as a typist at Taloma Gas Products, and during this time she met Tom. After a brief courtship, they married in 1961.

She and Tom had two children, Beth and Tom Jr. Beth was born in 1963 in Dallas and Tom Jr. in Nashville in 1966. Janelle and Tom made an exceptional team as he built his business. She helped in the office and raised the kids while he traveled throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. They shared a love of playing tennis, picnicking by the Harpeth River in the summer, and traveling the world together. During Beth and Tom’s school years, Janelle was very involved, serving as president of the PTA and organizing fundraisers and events. She encouraged her kids to do well in school and always wanted them to have more opportunities than she had as a child.

Her favorite time of the year was the holidays, starting with a ski trip with friends and followed by a large family gathering for Thanksgiving in Nashville, and elaborate decorating for Christmas. As her niece said, bringing people together was her superpower. When she was 42, Janelle overcame cancer and the damage it did to her body with grace, strength, and determination. She had a beautiful smile and twinkly blue eyes. She was kind and generous and did not tolerate unkindness toward those less fortunate.

As she and Tom got older, she continued to live an active life, loving to walk and bike, especially at Hilton Head Island. One of her most favorite times was caring for her grandchildren, Garner and Catherine. Janelle was a huge advocate for Autism Awareness, proudly wearing her ribbon and t-shirts in honor of Garner. Catherine would spend weeks each summer with her Nana and Pops, and whenever she could, Janelle whisked Catherine off for an adventure. The past 3 ½ years she has had the joy of showering her love on her great-granddaughters, Maisie and Alice. Her last great adventure was to brave the cold and move to Madison, Wis., to be closer to the grands and great-grands. She missed Nashville and her friends but plunged into her new community at Attic Angel, attending music programs and making new friends. Her family along with her old and new friends will miss her terribly.

Janelle was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Avren Allen Jr. and Janice Brown Allen; her brother, Roy Alfred Allen; and her husband of 61 years, George Thomson Guthrie. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Brown Allen; daughter, Elizabeth Allen Guthrie-Moss (Duncan Moss); son, George Thomson Guthrie Jr.; grandchildren, Garner Moss and Catherine Moss Bergerson (Ryan); and great-grandchildren, Maisie Bergerson and Alice Bergerson

Memorial donations may be made to the Autism Society of Wisconsin (autismsocietywi.org).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

Barbara J Guthrie

July 22, 1937 - June 14, 2026

Share photos of Barbara