Obituary of Mary Ann Rutledge-Guess

Mary Ann Rutledge Guess peacefully departed this life and entered into eternal rest on March 17, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. She was born on May 17, 1925, in Nashville, Tn to the late Jennie Belle (Jordan) Rutledge and Vernon Rutledge. Mary Ann received her early education at Hadley School and graduated from Pearl High School where she achieved stellar academic success. She subsequently mastered the administrative skills necessary to move quickly into management within the hospitality industry. Along with her husband, Harry S. Guess, Sr. (who predeceased her in 1964), they owned and operated Carver Motel for several decades. Their joint success allowed them to provide Catholic and college educations for their six children. Ann was an active parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul Church for many years. She was also very supportive of St Vincent School and Father Ryan High School where four of her six children graduated. In subsequent years, Ann continued her generosity and active faith practice at St. Pius X Parish where her two youngest children attended and graduated. After raising her children and closing her business, Ann enjoyed her retirement and remained active, traveling the world, welcoming, and cherishing her 10 grandchildren and perfecting her impressive culinary skills. She was known for passing on her recipes, always remembering to leave out one key step or ingredient that left your results a little short of her perfect outcomes. For the last nine years, she resided in Atlanta, Georgia under the watchful care of her two devoted daughters, Ann, and Tina. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her daughter, Carole Lindsey, stepson, Francis Guess, and son William Guess-- as well as brothers, Howard, Ronnie, and Calvin Rutledge, and sister Malissa Rutledge. She is survived by son Harry Guess Jr. (Cheryl), daughters Ann Nga (Ibrahim), and Tina Guess, ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, sister Bernice Murphy, brothers Mayo Rutledge, and Charles Rutledge: many nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and dear friends.