Edward Ayers

Mr. Ayers, 89, of 108 College Manor Drive, Shelby, NC, passed away Sunday, November 29, 2009 at his home. A native of Greenville, SC, he was a former employee of Dover Textiles where he was a supervisor. He retired from Rhone-Poulenc Chemical Company, Princeton, NJ where he was a salesman of textile chemicals. Mr. Ayers was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church where he served as former deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was a Mason and life member of Drayton Lodge in Spartanburg, SC, a Gideon, former member of Toastmasters and served in the U. S. Army during WWII. Mr. Ayers was preceeded in death by his parents William Austin Ayers & Ollie Batson Ayers, a son-in-law Ronald Wesley Ward, a brother Perry Ayers, and a sister Jamie Caton. Mr. Ayers is survived by his wife of 67 years Jean Cox Ayers of the home, a son Roger Edward Ayers & wife Paula of Ft. Smith Ark., a daughter Wanda A. Ward of Shelby, NC. Mr. Ayers grandchildren are; Lisa Ward Hill & husband Aundre, William Wealey Ward & wife Julie, Rebecca Ward, Matthew Ayers and Timothy Ayers, and 5 great grandchildren. In addition to these he is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thanks for the wonderful caregivers who have stood by Mr. & Mrs. Ayers and to Hospice of Cleveland County. Funeral services will be conducted by Drs. Eric Davis & Ervin Price. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, 198 Pleasant Ridge Church Road, Shelby, NC 28152.