About Us

Michael & Marquita Guthrie, founders Of Legacy Mortuary Services have served Texas families since 1999 in some way or another with the multiple gifts God has given us. 

Legacy is a proud family funeral Home that is committed to providing sound advice for your family during this difficult time.

My wife and I and the entire staff of caring professional are here to give you all love and compassion with a personal touch.

Michael has received his Funeral Director license from the State of Texas in October of 2025.

We are not a perfect funeral home, nor do we have a perfect funeral director. But we are servants of a perfect God who will guide us into serving you and your family the best way we can.

Kindall Guthrie, age 15, has a heart deeply devoted to the funeral service profession. 

Following in the footsteps of her father since the age of nine, Kindall has gained hands-on experience in many aspects of the field—from assisting with removals to offering comfort and support to families within the community. Her natural compassion and dedication make her a remarkable young professional in the making.

Kindall aspires to pursue higher education at Southern University, where she plans to study law. With her strong sense of purpose, leadership qualities, and commitment to service, she is preparing herself for a future that combines professionalism with a genuine care for people.

As part of Legacy Mortuary, Kindall is already a valuable asset. Her passion, work ethic, and willingness to learn ensure that she will carry forward a lasting tradition of excellence and service in the community.

Wilburn Lawson is a dedicated funeral service professional whose career spans more than 25 years across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. 

A proud graduate of O.D. Wyatt High School, Class of 1994, he continued his academic journey at Grambling State University and Texas Wesleyan University before earning his degree from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services.

Mr. Lawson’s professional career began with distinction as the Chief Embalmer at Gregory W. Spencer Funeral Directors from 2000 to 2004. He later advanced to serve as the General Manager of Gregory W. Spencer & Son at the historic McGowan Mansion, where his leadership and commitment to excellence became widely recognized.

Throughout his career, Wilburn has served as both Funeral Director and Manager at several respected funeral homes throughout the Metroplex. His work has touched countless families, reflecting his deep compassion, professionalism, and dedication to honoring the lives of others.

Today, Wilburn Lawson stands as an integral part of Legacy Mortuary, where he continues to uphold a tradition of service rooted in dignity, respect, and care. His experience and leadership have made him a trusted figure in the community and a vital part of the ongoing legacy of funeral service.

Damerrick Williams, affectionately known as “Cherrio,” is a seasoned professional with more than 40 years of dedicated service in the funeral industry. 

A graduate of O.D. Wyatt High School, Mr. Williams has built a lifelong career rooted in compassion, professionalism, and a deep commitment to serving families during their most difficult times.

From 2010 to 2020, he served as the Senior Family Service Specialist for Gregory W. Spencer Funeral Directors, where he became well known for his ability to guide and support families with care and dignity. His experience, wisdom, and warm presence have earned him the trust and respect of countless individuals throughout the community.

With a career spanning over four decades, Damerrick “Cherrio” Williams continues to embody excellence in funeral service. His dedication stands as a testament to his love for the profession and his commitment to uplifting and comforting families with grace and integrity.

In Loving Memory of Reverend Joe Allen Foster, Sr.

March 24, 1947 – September 20, 2022

Reverend Joe Allen Foster, Sr. was more than a pastor, musician, and funeral director — he was a mentor, father figure, and friend whose influence shaped countless lives across ministries and professions.

Born on March 24, 1947, in Fort Worth, Texas, to John D. Foster and Oneta Holmes, Joe grew up in a loving Christian home that nurtured his passion for faith and music from an early age. As a child attending Rosen Heights Baptist Church, he accepted Christ and was baptized by Reverend M.C. Graves. Even as a young boy, Joe’s musical gift was undeniable — sitting beside his mother at the piano, he learned to play by ear and soon became the junior choir musician by age five. His earliest lessons under Dr. Bobby Baylor and Miss Lola Pulliam ignited a lifelong love of music that would carry him through every season of his life.

Reverend Foster’s passion for serving extended beyond the pulpit. Drawn by a deep desire to comfort families during life’s most difficult moments, he pursued his license as a Certified Funeral Director and Mortician. After training under Mr. Herbert Baker at Baker’s Memorial Funeral Home, Joe opened Foster’s Family Circle Funeral Chapel in 1981. Later, he became a foundational member of Gregory W. Spencer Funeral Directors, where he faithfully served and mentored many rising morticians, funeral directors, ministers, and musicians - several of whom have since opened their own funeral homes. To them, he was not just a teacher but a spiritual father - offering wisdom, guidance, and unconditional love.

Even in his later years, Reverend Foster continued to grow and learn. In 2016, he returned to school to formally study music, earning an Associate of Arts in Music in 2019 at the age of 72 -a testament to his belief that it’s never too late to learn and evolve.

Throughout his life, Reverend Foster was recognized for his musical brilliance and community impact. Above all, he remained dedicated to serving through music, ministry, and mentorship - always ready to lend a helping hand or encouraging word.

On September 20, 2022, Reverend Joe Allen Foster, Sr. answered his final call and transitioned peacefully into eternal rest. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, excellence, and fatherly love that continues to live on in his family, his church, his protégés, and all who were blessed by his guidance.

A Mentor’s Legacy

To those who had the privilege of learning from him, Reverend Joe Foster was far more than a mentor — he was a father in faith, guiding with both firmness and tenderness. He taught that service to others is the highest form of ministry, and that true success lies not in recognition but in impact. His life’s work continues through every pastor he encouraged, every musician he trained, and every mortician he equipped to serve with dignity and grace.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of thy Lord.” — Matthew 25:21

Ms. Bessie Hamilton is a woman whose life and career reflect unwavering dedication, compassionate service, and a spirit of excellence that has illuminated every place she has stood. 

A proud product of the Fort Worth community, she graduated from O.D. Wyatt High School, Class of 1977, where her character, leadership, and heart for people first began to shine.

With a deep commitment to caring for others, Ms. Hamilton pursued her calling in healthcare and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse through the John Peter Smith School of Nursing in 1982. Her nursing foundation strengthened her natural gifts—gentleness, empathy, and calm professionalism—qualities that would later define her legacy in funeral service.

Answering a higher calling to serve families during their most tender moments, Ms. Hamilton enrolled in the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, graduating in 1992. Her journey in funeral service began under the respected leadership of Gregory W. Spencer, where she served faithfully for three years as a Funeral Director, learning the artistry, discipline, and sacred responsibility of the profession.

She later continued her distinguished career at Morris Bates Mortuary, serving as both Funeral Director in Charge and Embalmer for an extraordinary 16 years. Her quiet strength, technical excellence, and ability to comfort families in their darkest hours earned her a reputation of integrity and unmatched dedication.

Today, Legacy Mortuary Services proudly welcomes Ms. Hamilton as a Funeral Director whose wealth of knowledge, refined skills, and timeless compassion elevate the standard of care we provide. The experience she brings to our firm is immeasurable—rooted not only in decades of service, but in a lifetime of purpose.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Hamilton has been a vessel of ministry and music. She has been singing since childhood, beginning at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Frank Turner. Her voice has blessed congregations, comforted hearts, and carried the message of God’s love for generations.

Ms. Bessie Hamilton stands as a pillar of grace, faith, and service—an inspiration to colleagues, families, and all who are blessed to know her.