Carmelita Thornton Guthrie

It is with deep sadness that the family of Carmelita Thornton Guthrie announces her peaceful passing on August 30th, 2026 at the age of 82 years old in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Carmelita will be forever remembered by her loving family; her two children - Robert Allan Guthrie and his children Kaia and Zoe, and Carole Ann Reed and her children - Matthew, Thomas, and Harrison and her grandchildren - Maddox, Waylan and Aliyah; Siblings - Gary (Lisa) Thornton and Joyce Thornton Cubsted; - Niece and Caregiver - Valerie; Nieces and Nephew- Lori, Connie and Shelton (Rosetta); Great-Nieces and Nephews - John Michael, Jessica, Nathan, Sabrina and Zachery and many other family and friends. Proceeded in death by her husband of 29 years, William ‘Bill” Guthrie; Parents - Harrison and Dorothy (Hurst) Thornton, Sister - Linda Thornton Pettis and Brother-in-laws -George Cubsted and Franklin Pettis.

Carmelita Ann Thornton was born on July 1st, 1944 in Reeves, Missouri to Harrison Shelton Thornton of Leslie, AR and Dorothy Almeta (Hurst) Thornton of Kennett, MO where she lived until the family moved to Orange County, Florida in 1955. Being the oldest she gladly took on the roll of protector for her three other siblings. During her high school years she worked in the candy store at the movie theater in downtown Winter Garden, FL. She also worked for McCorys and English Cleaners DropOff. After she graduated from Lakeview High School in 1963 she met and then married Bill Guthrie in 1964. She attended Orlando Vo-Tech for Cosmetology when Jean, the owner of Mr. Arthur’s Mello Curl Salon called Carm’s instructor and asked if she had a recommendation for an ‘operator’. She was given Carm’s number. It was simple, “I said yes, Jean said yes and I never worked any other place.” Carmelita eventually bought the salon and renamed it Mello Curl Beauty Salon until she retired in 2013.

Aunt Carm, as she was called by many, survived oral cancer and cancer that took her voice box but not her fight or spirit. She then fought lung cancer. She will be forever known as a fighter - for life and the ones she loves. She proudly sported her scars because she knew one day she would be whole again. She loved God, her family, her life and was a prayer warrior.

Carmelita and the family want to say thank you to those that helped through the years of her treatments, there are too many to list individually. In lieu of flowers you can donate in her memory to any Advent Health location or Park Avenue Worship Center.

Celebration of Life service will be held at Park Avenue Worship Center COG 117 N. Park Ave. Apopka, Florida 32703 on September 4th, 2026 @ 4pm. Officiants: Bishop Ricky Faircloth and Bishop Bob Collins.