Robert Ayers

MALDEN, Mo. -- Robert Aaron "Bob" Ayers, 76, of Malden died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, at Malden Nursing Center.

He was born Jan. 5, 1931, in Bragg City, Mo., son of Fitch and Julia M. Williams Ayers. He and Alberta Simpson were married in 1949. He and Essie Mae Thomas were married in 1972. She died in 1988.

Survivors include a son, John Ayers Sr. of Cape Girardeau; four daughters, Ruth Ann Ayers of Independence, Mo., Doris Jones of Kansas City, Mo., Belinda Ayers of Malden, Inez Jones of Milwaukee, Wis.; five brothers, Clarence Ayers and Bobby Thornton of Malden, Perry Thornton of Essex, Mo., Jessie Thornton of Sikeston, Mo., Jake Ayers of Miami; two sisters, Betty Harris of Elkhart, Ind., Mary Underwood of Malden; a friend, Dorothy Moore of Malden; 14 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time Saturday at Landmark Pentecostal Church.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Johnny Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Macedonia Cemetery at Malden.

Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden is in charge of arrangements.