Elizabeth Ann McGuire

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" McGuire, 95, died July 1, 2013, in Texarkana. Mrs. McGuire was born December 31, 1917, in Newport, Arkansas to Sara Ann and Lacy A. Threlkeld. The family moved to Texarkana when she was a child. She graduated from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. While there, Mrs. McGuire and her college friends formed a club they named "En Ami" meaning "In Friendship." Decades later their club was still ongoing and was given a charter by the national fraternity Phi Mu. Mrs. McGuire and the original club members were asked to return to their Alma Mater to be initiated as charter members of the chapter. After college graduation, she persuaded her parents to let her go to Wyoming to attend summer school. In the days before air conditioning, the University of Wyoming was billed as the "coolest" summer school in the U.S. It was there that she met her Missouri-born husband of 70 years, William E. "Bill" McGuire. Following that summer, Mr. McGuire made his first trip to Texarkana. In the cold of winter, he was surprised to see a rose blooming. It was right then that he declared he had not only found his bride, but their forever home. He predeceased her in December of 2011. Family and friends were the hallmark of the McGuire's life together. They spent many summers touring with their children and grandchildren all around the U.S., seeing the sights and keeping up with old friends. At home, they, with their friends, celebrated everything – especially friendship and good times. Before her retirement, Mrs. McGuire taught school in Texarkana, Arkansas and Texas. She was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Texarkana and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. McGuire loved her church and was proud to be the oldest member of Central Christian Church. She enjoyed playing bridge with her life-long friends, as well as new bridge friends in recent years. She is survived by her son, Michael McGuire and his wife, Karen of Houston, Texas and daughter, Sissy McAllister and her husband, Mac of Texarkana. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Kelly McGuire of Connecticut, Amy and her husband, Paul Knutsen of Connecticut, John William and his wife, Anna McGuire of California, Jill Young of Texas, Kim Girouard of Georgia and nine great-grandchildren, Olivia, Mimi and Docker of Connecticut, Nicholas, Vander, Maja Grace and Cori of Connecticut, Madelyn Rose of California, and Katelyn of Texas. A private memorial service will be held. The family welcomes friends to celebrate her life at the McAllister home on Wednesday, July 3, from 4-6 p.m. In her memory the family suggests memorials be made to Central Christian Church, 903 Walnut St., Texarkana, Texas 75501 or Water Springs Ranch, 7707 Sanderson Lane, Texarkana, Ark. 71854. Arrangements are under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home, Texas. Online registration is at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.