November 10, 1935 – September 16, 2013
ANDERSON, SC - Mrs. Shirley Ruth Ayers, age 77, of Anderson, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2013 after a long valet battle with cancer.
She was the daughter of Mr. Roy Lee Hunnicutt and Mrs. Ella Ruth Patterson Hunnicutt. Mrs. Ayers was born in Anderson where she attended Girls High and graduated from Anderson College. She was a lifelong member of Concord Baptist Church where she served many years as the 5 year old Sunday School Class teacher as well as the Church Hostess. She was a devoted wife and homemaker. She loved her time as a volunteer in schools, working in the P.T.A. and with the Cub Scouts and Brownies. When her children became older she was employed with Anderson School District Five as a substitute teacher for 30 years. She received great joy from the children she taught and always felt blessed when she met a student again as an adult that remembered something special about her, as they often did.
Mrs. Ayers is survived by her two daughters, Mrs. Tonia Bannister McMurchie and her husband Tim, Mrs. Tandy Ayers Wickiser and son-in-law, Mr. Kurtis Lee Wickiser; a son, Mr. Brayton Ivan Ayers and his wife Norma; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Barbara Neil Bannister, Mrs. Artie Mae Hughes, and Mrs. Susan Bannister, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews from whom she received great joy.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 47 years, Mr. Bobby Ray Ayers and her husband Mr. Tony Rudolph Bannister who passed away shortly after they were married.
The family will be at her youngest daughter’s home and will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
The Funeral will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at 3:30 PM in the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home with Reverend Randy Blank officiating. Interment will follow at New Silver Brook Cemetery.
Donations may be made in her memory to Concord Baptist Church, 1012 Concord Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com