Mrs. Mildred Epperson Ayers

Mrs. Mildred Epperson Ayers, 103 of Ararat, VA, widow of Mr. Rush Walter Ayers passed away Monday, July 11, 2011 at Northern Hospital of Surry County. She was born March 15, 1908 in Patrick County, VA to the late Robert Hillary Epperson and Phoebe Gates Epperson. She was a member of Unity Church and homemaker. She operated the telephone switchboard out of her home for the Ararat community for many years. She was an excellent baker with her specialty in wedding cakes and was a excellent seamstress. Surviving are three daughters and two son-in-laws, Millie Simmons of the home, Patricia and Bernard Coniglio, River Forest, IL and Jeanne and Frank O'Dowd, Coral Gables, FL and a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Vickie Ayers, Jacksonville, FL. 20 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, three sisters, Margie George, Westfield, , Mary Anderson, Mt. Airy, and Lottie Beasley, Stuart, VA. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Ayers was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathleen Yeatts, three sons, Vance Ayers, Frank Ayers and Garner Ayers, two sisters, Grace Pedigo and Gladys Smith and two brothers, Robert Hennis Epperson and Glenn Epperson. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Unity Church conducted by Rev. Buford Jessup, Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 7-9 pm Friday at Moody Funeral Home of Mt. Airy where her body will remain until carried to the church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Unity Church Cemetery Fund. c/o Patricia Anderson, 358 Mears Road, Claudville, VA 24076.