Helen Ayers

Helen Lavern Ayers, 55, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

She was born March 10, 1947, in Cape Girardeau to the late Vernal L. and Bessie McGee Smith. On Dec. 21, 1965, she married Marshall E. Ayers Sr. in Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death March 31, 1998.

She attended St. Johns A.M.E. Church in Jackson and worked at Sears and H&R Block for 10 years.

Survivors include four sons, Marshall Earl Jr. and Paxton Orlando Ayers, both of Cape Girardeau, Byron Keith Ayers of Springfield, Ill., and Marcus Lowe of Seattle, Wash.; a stepmother, Marjorie Smith of Cape Girardeau; one brother, Vernal E. Smith of Pomona, Calif.; one sister, Joan Ayers of Cape Girardeau; and 10 grandchildren.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral chapel with the Rev. James Merity and Bishop William Bird officiating. Burial will be at Lorimier Cemetery.