Volume 10 , Issue 10

Nina Hope Annis Guffey - 1921-2008 Obit

"Hope Guffey, 86, a former Oklahoma City educator died in Tulsa on Saturday, March 1, 2008.

She was married 60 years to Chan Guffey, founder of Guffey's Executive Journal, until his death, December 29, 2007.

She was born, Nina Hope Annis, near Freedom, Oklahoma on May 28, 1921, the oldest child of George and Ethel Annis. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Jack Moreland Annis of Woodward, OK.

Hope attended Selman High School and graduated with a B.A. in English from Northwestern State University in Alva, OK in 1943. While there, she was named Ranger Queen and known as an accomplished vocal soloist who sang with the college choir and a popular female trio.

She began her teaching career in Wilmore, Kansas and then taught high school English in Woodward, OK. It was there that her portrait in a local photographer's window caught the eye of the new hometown newspaper editor, Chan Guffey, who arranged a date for coffee and four months later married Hope on Valentine's Day 1947.

As newlyweds, the couple narrowly escaped the widespread devastation of the April 1947 Woodward tornado which destroyed their second story apartment. Hope helped in the relief effort following the deadly storm by identifying those killed including many of her students and their family members.

It was Chan Guffey's reporting of that tragic event that earned him a job with The Daily Oklahoman and brought the couple to Oklahoma City. In 1954, as a young wife and mother, Hope Guffey won the title of "Mrs. Oklahoma".

She returned to teaching speech and drama at Harding High School throughout the 1960's. In 1970, she earned a Master's of Education from Central State University in Edmond, OK and became a guidance counselor at Putnam City High School, retiring in 1985.

As a lifelong Christian, Hope was a member of the Mayfair Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. She enjoyed singing, cooking, sewing, writing children's short stories and refurbishing antique furniture. She was also a talented artist who worked in pen and ink, oils and watercolor. She loved giving gifts and lived her life in service to her family and friends.

Survivors include brother, Max Annis, Austin, Texas. 3 children: son, Rand Guffey, Redding, CT, daughters, Annis Kernan, Broken Arrow, OK, and Kim Guffey, Oklahoma City. 4 grandsons, Army JAG Captain Andrew Kernan serving in Iraq, Eric Kernan, Oklahoma City, Marine Lance Corporal Ryan Kernan serving in South Korea, John Guffey, Arizona University sophomore. 3 granddaughters, Megan Kernan Jewell, Broken Arrow, OK, Lea Kernan, Oklahoma University senior, Kyle Guffey, Redding, CT and 3 greatgrandchildren, Tanner Kernan, Lily Kernan and Ryleigh Jewell.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 7, 2008, at the Mercer Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Bethany, OK., with Interment at Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City, under the direction of Mercer Adams Funeral Home." -- N. Talkington
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