Flora Vista McKinnon Gutterman

December 16, 1930 - January 17, 2022

North Augusta, SC - Memorial Services for Ms. Flora Vista McKinnon Gutterman, 91, who entered into rest January 17, 2022, will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 o’clock in the Posey Funeral Chapel. Dr. T. Joseph Lusk officiating. Her ashes will be scattered by her children at places she loved and cherished. Ms. Gutterman was born in Clintwood, VA, the daughter of Ida Russell McKinnon Steele, an elementary school teacher and Neil McKinnon, Jr., a Methodist minister. She was their only child. She graduated with a B.S. degree from Radford College, Radford, VA, worked as an airline stewardess for Trans Texas Airways, and then began her career in education, as a high school teacher. Flora married Albert Gutterman, and had two children, Laura Copeland (Nashville) and Lee Koehler (North Augusta), divorcing in 1969. As a single mother rearing two young daughters, she ensured that both of them graduated from college, while simultaneously earning her M.S. and Ed.D. degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and serving as an elementary school principal in the Metro Nashville Public School system. Her love for educating children and her first years as a principal were during the era of school desegregation in Nashville, which served as the basis for her doctoral dissertation. After Flora retired, she moved to North Augusta in 2003, and enjoyed wonderful times with her grandchildren as they were finishing high school, graduating from college and moving into their careers. She also travelled, twice through trips hosted by her son-in-law, Paul Koehler, and sponsored by the National Audubon Society. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church. As her health declined, she became a resident of NHC Healthcare North Augusta in 2010, and was beloved by the community there. The family wishes to thank the long-time support of the caregivers at NHC for their loving care for her over the years. She is survived by her two daughters, Laura (Michael) Copeland, and Lee (Paul) Koehler, her grandchildren, Jessica Koehler (Chris Garrick), and Colby (Brianda) Koehler, and her two great-grand-children, (Carson and Connor). The family will receive friends following the Memorial Service. Memorials may be made to the Community Ministries of North Augusta, 531 Belvedere-Clearwater Road, North Augusta, SC 29841 or a favorite charity. Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta in charge of arrangements (803-278-1181). Visit the registry at www.PoseyCares.com