Royce Ayers

SIKESTON - Royce Warren Ayers, 85, died Nov. 22, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

Mr. Ayers was the last surviving member of a generation of five sons and two daughters born to the late Thomas Wylie and Susie Morrow Ayers of rural Matthews.

The surviving members recognize this Ayers generation that began in 1907 and succumbed with the passing of Royce Ayers on Nov. 22, 2004:

Lena Lucille (Cooper) Aug. 3, 1907-Feb. 26, 1933; Oscar Vernon Dec. 26, 1908-Feb. 19, 1982; Jerald Ray Sept. 23, 1910-Nov. 22, 1967; Thomas Wylie Jr. May 18, 1915-July 3, 1995; Edith Viloa (Calhoun) Dec. 11, 1912-Oct. 29, 1992; Royce Warren Nov. 30, 1918-Nov. 22, 2004; and Glenn Rudell May 9, 1924-July 15, 2000.

On Jan. 12, 1938, Royce married Pansy Uthoff who preceded him in death on Sept. 22, 2004. Together they worked at Brown Shoe Factory in Charleston, farmed in Matthews in the York School area and owned and operated Midwest LP Gas Company of Morehouse before retiring in 1977. Royce was a member of Murray Lane Baptist Church.

Survivors include: one son, Lee Royce Ayers of Gilbertsville, Ky.; two daughters, Neva Settles of Leawood, Kan., and Belinda Ayers of Alton, Ill.; and three grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Also preceding him in death was one great-granddaughter.

Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, where a memory of his life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with his son, Lee Royce Ayers, nephew Troy Calhoun, and the Rev. Kelley Grubbs, pastor of Murray Lane Baptist Church, officiating.

Interment will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie.

Paid obituary