Charles Ayers

Charles E. Ayers, of Pinson, was born January 15, 1935. In December, he expressed his Christmas wish for his own airplane so he could fly wherever he wanted. Instead, before dawn on February 19, 2015, his spirit and soul took flight for his eternal home, leaving behind all sickness and pain. Joyfully welcoming Charles to Heaven were his parents, Wilson and Velva Ayers, brothers Jay W. Ayers, Richard Ayers, Edward Ayers, and his baby sister Faye Ayers Strickland.

Born during the Great Depression and raised in Cullman, Charles graduated from J.B. Pennington High School, after which he joined the U.S. Army, where he served the nation he loved as a Cryptographer Specialist, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. While stationed in Europe, Charles was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and Good Conduct Medal prior to his honorable discharge.

Returning home, Charles enjoyed a successful business career including insurance and, later, in the wood utilization industry. He pursued and won the heart of the young woman he said he fell in love with at first sight, Toni Holt Ayers, the love of his life who he married in 1958. Settling in Tarrant, they raised three beloved daughters, who grew up and blessed Charles and Toni with five grandchildren, the stars in his crown. Charles was also a lifetime avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

A quiet, strong man, Charles' defining characteristics were his faith in God, his love of Toni, his devotion to his family, and his intellectual brilliance. To his family, friends and business associates, there seemed to be no limitation to what he knew, learned, and was able to decipher. There seemed to be nothing he couldn't fix -- until he encountered cancer.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Toni Ayers of Pinson; daughters and sons-in-law Pam and Mike Billingsley of Mountain Brook; Judy and Gary White of Leeds; Charlene and Gene Phillips of Trussville; grandchildren Jonathan (Chasidy) Goodwin of Lakeview, Stephanie Goodwin of Hoover, Courtney (Nate) Williams of Homewood, Zach Phillips of Trussville, and Peyton Billingsley of Mountain Brook; sister Dene Hollis of Cullman; sisters- and brothers-in-law Linda and Bub Harris, Carolyn and Howard Collett, and Kenneth and Johnnie Sue Holt; numerous nieces and nephews. Charles also shared much joy with his beloved furry child, Oliver.

Charles' homegoing will be celebrated Saturday, February 21st at 10:00 AM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 1591 Gadsden Highway. Pastor Harold Kelley of Metro Church of God will officiate. The family invites friends and guests to visit Friday, February 20th, 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the funeral home.