Mrs. Masiel Deweese Ayers went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2023. She was a godly wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as a member of Whitesburg Baptist Church.
Mrs. Ayers was born to William and Beulah Deweese on February 10, 1931, near Beckley, West Virginia. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1950. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1954 from Berea College in Kentucky. While at college, she met her handsome and wonderful husband, Dr. Orval Edwin Ayers and they were married on December 20, 1952. After teaching for two years near Dayton, Ohio, she attended Auburn University where she received her master’s degree in Elementary Education in 1958. After teaching for nine and a half years in Dayton, Ohio, Opelika and Huntsville, Alabama, she retired to stay home with her three daughters.
Mrs. Ayers was involved for several years with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) and church activities. She served on the communion committee, delivered meals to the homebound church members, taught children’s church and Bible clubs, and was active in the Ladies Bible Class.
Mrs. Ayers was preceded in death by her parents, William and Beulah Deweese, her siblings, Zelda Deweese Cowell, Harold Deweese, and Ronald Deweese, as well as four unborn grandchildren.
Mrs. Ayers is survived by her husband of almost 71 years, Dr. Orval Ayers; three daughters, Karen Pinkleton (David), Sylvia Ayers, and Lisa Knox; five grandchildren, David Allen Pinkleton II, Megan Zimmerman (Michael), Natalie Shannon (Ryan), James Pinkleton, and William “Billy” Knox (Autumn); great-grandchildren, Rikardo Zimmerman, Deven Zimmerman, Campbell “Camp” Knox, Archer “Archie” Shannon, and Chappell Knox; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, November 20, at Whitesburg Baptist South Campus. The memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Guy Morton officiating.
The family wishes to thank Katrina Coleman at Kyser’s Place with her staff of Clarice, CeeCee, and Harriet, who took loving care of Masiel as her health declined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Awana Children’s Ministry at Calvary Bible Church, 607 Drake Ave., Huntsville, AL 35802 (https://cbchsv.org/), or Gideon’s International (www.gideons.org).
