Martha Jane Earp Guthe (Martye)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Martha “Martye” Jane Earp Guthe on June 27, 2024. She died peacefully at home in Cary, NC, after several days spent surrounded by loved ones. She is survived by her husband, Douglas “Doug” Guthe, Jr.; her children Jody (Billy), Jennifer, and Michael (Amy); her stepchildren Lea (Thayer), David (Chelsea), and Klara; her grandchildren Brandon, John, Talbot, Isobela, Tanner, Woods, Savannah, Calder, Madilyn, and Verdie; her sister, Ruth (Wesley); her niece and nephews Charles (Autumn), Karin (Paul), and Martin; and many beloved grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leola Woodard Earp and Worley Sherrod Earp. She courageously battled cancer for four years, always with her gorgeous smile and loving hugs for everyone.

Martye was born on August 9, 1949, in Washington, D.C., to Leola Woodard Earp and Worley Sherrod Earp. Her family moved to North Carolina in 1953, where she and her sister Ruth grew up on a farm in Johnston County. They were surrounded by a large extended family, where cousins were like siblings and aunts and uncles were there to love, nurture, and support. She attended Wake Forest University, earned a Bachelor’s in horticulture from North Carolina State University, and an MBA from the McColl School of Business at Queens University in Charlotte. In every home she made, she cultivated stunning gardens and shared her tasteful collection of pottery, jewelry, and art from her life’s travels. She had an eye for photography, décor, and the perfect outfit for every occasion.

Martye was by far proudest of her children and grandchildren. It was her greatest joy to love and celebrate her family, going above and beyond at every opportunity to make them feel loved, special, and appreciated. Martye always found another seat at her table, making anyone invited feel like family. She instilled the value of family in everyone, from taking her young children to her parents’ farm, to regularly attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, maintaining annual family traditions like Christmas Eve sleepovers and family beach week, and making each child or grandchild their favorite birthday cake every year. She was a tireless advocate for everyone she loved, with a determined optimism that saw her and her family through tough times.

Martye had a passionate love for life. She would invite any of us wanting to honor her to admire a beautiful flower, dance to a favorite song, drive with the top down on a sunny day, and hug our loved ones tightly and often.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Martye’s name to either UNC at www.unchf.org/MartyeGuthe or the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke at http://dccc.convio.net/goto/MarthaGuthe. Martye received exceptional care from both Duke and UNC.

Martye’s memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. A burial service will be held at Thanksgiving Baptist Church in Selma, NC, at 6 p.m. the same day.

We are forever grateful for the care and love Maggie White and her team at Vitality Health & Care Services provided Martye as well as the support we received from Amedisys Hospice of Garner.