Buford Ray Ayers

Buford Ray Ayers of Collinwood, TN was born January 1, 1938 in Wayne Co, TN, the son of the late Earnest Jewell and Bessie Lee Scott Ayers. He was united in marriage to Laura Jo Stooksberry on January 7, 1959. Mr. Ayers was a retired from Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company and was a member of Millrock Freewill Baptist Church in Collinwood, Tennessee where he had served as a deacon for over 44 years.

Mr. Ayers departed this life Monday, February 20, 2017 at his home at the age of 79 Years, 1 Month, 19 Days.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Jo Ayers of Collinwood, TN; a son, Philip Ray Ayers of Collinwood, TN; daughters, Vickie Carol Ayers Balentine of Collinwood, TN, Robbie Jo Ayers Williams of Ethridge, TN; grandchildren, Jamie Ayers, Courtney Balentine, Jacob Ayers and Cordale Williams; great-granddaughter, Addiston Grace Ayers; a brother, Deward Ayers of Florence, AL; sisters, Nella Faye Stooksberry of Collinwood, TN, Fleeta Mae Holt of Iron City, TN, Betty Ruth Johnson of Ethridge, TN, Edith Graham of Collinwood, TN; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Ayers was preceded in death by brothers, Elza, Ellis and Lavern Ayers and two infant siblings.

Services will be Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Shackelford Funeral Directors chapel, Collinwood, Tennessee, with Joel Wallace officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens, Collinwood, Tennessee with Shackelford Funeral Directors, Wayne County, directing. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 22, 2017 from 5 pm to 8 pm and Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 9 am until service time at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Jamie Ayers, Courtney Balentine, Jacob Ayers, Cordale Williams, Joe Horton, and Jimmy Caperton. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Ayers, Willie Holt, Jr., Ronnie Lindsey, Billy Stegall, JC Gallaher and Paul Dixon.