Emma Lou Ayers

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Emma Lou Ayers, 92, of Charleston died and went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, June 12, 2011, at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Ky.

She was born Jan 15, 1919, in Charleston, daughter of George Andrew and May Dyer McElmurry. She was first married to Roy Bastien, who preceded her in death. She later married Jerald Ayers in 1955, who also preceded her in death in 1967.

Emma Lou, known also as "Momma Lou" and "Aunt Lou" and "Grandma," was active in her churches. She was previously a member of New Bethel Baptist Church, Little Vine General Baptist Church and, at passing, First Baptist Church in Charleston. She was active in WMU, Vacation Bible school and Lydia Sunday school class. She worked at the Charleston shoe factory, utility company and fabric store, but her main joy was being a wife and homemaker. She gave of her time and love to everyone she knew, including living with her mother and two sisters while they were passing on for many years. Very humble in spirit, but she truly practiced her Christianity.

Survivors include her daughters, Geraldine (Ron) Northcutt and Joyce Ann Long; grandchildren, Greg (Leigh Ann) Northcutt, Michael (Julia) Long, Todd (Jina) Long and Cherrie (Michael) Northcutt Ford; great-grandchildren, Sam Long, Brynne Long, Madeline Long, Jeffrey Long, Jonah Long, Hannah Long, Ben (Jessica) Northcutt, Casey Northcutt, Micah Northcutt, Peter Northcutt, Tessa Northcutt, Aaron Northcutt, Emily Northcutt, Rachel Northcutt and Haley Ford; great-great grandchildren, Bella Northcutt and Jack Northcutt; nieces and nephews, W.R. (Peggy) Thompson, Dr. Eleanor S. Crowell, Janet (Don) Presson, Donald (Carole) McElmurry, Judy (Nick) Leist, Frank Allan (Arlinda) McElmurry; great-nieces and -nephews, Lucas Presson, Scott (Amy) Crowell, Jason (Melissa) Thompson, John (Michelle) Thompson, Susan Thomas, Melissa (Keith) Gailei, Terri (Ray) Ciscon, Keith McEllmurry, Craig (Stephanie) McEllmurry, Darren Pickett and Sherri Pickett.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers Cecil (Hester) McElmurry and Harry (Mira May) McElmurry; sisters Edna (Bill) Thompson, Clara Marie (Henry) Ohmes and an infant sister; grandchildren Kent Northcutt and Barbara Long; niece Marilyn Pickett; son-in-law, the Rev. Larry Long.

Friends may call after 11 a.m. Wednesday at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. Ben Northcutt, a church planter in training and great-grandson to Mrs. Ayers, will officiate the service. Family and friends will share their remembrances of Mrs. Ayers as well. Graveside rites will be conducted at IOOF Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Greg Northcutt, Michael Long, Todd Long, Micah Northcutt, Peter Northcutt, Aaron Northcutt, Emily Northcutt and Rachel Northcutt.

A celebration of life dinner for family and friends will be held at Pizza Hut in Charleston following burial.