Shirley Clayton Ayers was born Sept. 12, 1931 to Oliver and Mary Ann Kirk Clayton in McNairy County, Tenn, and passed from this life on May 4, 2016, at her home in Ramer, Tenn.
Her early life was spent with her family in the Sulphur Springs community. In 1948 she met and married the man that would define her for the next 54 years, Robert Wallace Ayers. They met at a gospel meeting at Antioch Church of Christ in Ramer, Tenn. They married on Oct. 31, 1948 in Corinth, Miss. Seven children were born to Wallace and Shirley; Robert Creagh, Daniel Wayne, Billy Gene, Wanda Fay, Donna Kay, Ronald Wade, and Sherry Lynn. They made their home on a small farm in Ramer, Tenn. where they would always live.
Shirley worked tirelessly to support her large family as a housewife and factory worker at Martin Manufacturing later to become Levi Straus. She retired from public work in 1985, and returned to the care of her family on their farm. It was there that she would spend her remaining days doing the things she loved and enjoyed. She loved sewing, gardening and spending time with her family. She was the caregiver for her husband Wallace until his death in 2001. In 2007, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She was lovingly cared for by her children and countless others until the time of her death.
Shirley is survived by her beloved children; Bobby Ayers and wife Kathy, Danny Ayers and wife Lisa, both of Ramer, Tenn., Billy Ayers and wife Mary Anne of Collierville, Tenn., Wanda Crider and husband Donnie, of Atwood, Tenn., Donna Siler and husband Nelson of Bethel Springs, Tenn., Sherry Deaton and husband Randall, of Adamsville, Tenn. Surviving grandchildren are Terri Anderson, Robin Arnwine, Melanie Marks, Paul Ayers, Julie Butler, Taft Ayers, Richard Turpin, Ana Teate, Lydia McGuire, Clay Ayers, Chris Crider, Zak Crider, Michelle Butler, Joel Ayers, Paige Clendinin, Claire Deaton and Kate Deaton. She is also survived by 30 great grandchildren. In addition, her sister in law Helen Curtis, and brother in laws, George Ayers and Bill Ayers along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Annie Clayton, brothers Rufus Clayton and Snyder Clayton; sisters, Cora Nixon, Ruby Powell, Jewel Mullins, Euil King and Magdaline Leatherwood, one granddaughter, Tracy Siler and sister in laws, Alma Mae Ayers and Louise Kirk.
Shirley was a long time member of the Antioch Church of Christ. She served and loved her family, friends, and neighbors, and most of all she served God with all her heart and soul.
