Verna Mae Ayers was born July 8, 1917, at Butts, Missouri, a daughter of the late John James and Maggie Belle (Sites) Bouse. She entered eternal life Saturday, August 27, 2005 at the Cuba Manor, Missouri at the age of 88 years, 1 month and 19 days.

January 15, 1939 at Vichy, Missouri, Verna was united in marriage to Armin F. Ayers. One son, James Francis and one daughter, Donna Leanne were born to this union. They enjoyed over fifty-five years together before his death June 26, 1995.

In addition to her parents and Armin, she was preceded in death by four brothers, William H. "Bill" Bouse and wife JoAnn, Luther George Bouse, Richard Donald "Dick" Bouse and Robert Ronald "Ron" Bouse and two sisters, Eileen Anna and husband Jerry Harris Winer and Betty Jo Bouse and a brother-in-law, Oren (Buster) Hewkin.

Among those who remain to mourn her passing are her devoted daughter, Donna Leanne Creecy and husband Bill of Huzzah, Missouri; loving son James F. Ayers of Hope, Arkansas; two grandsons, Chad Allen Ayers and wife Christy of Hope, Arkansas and James Samuel Bailey of Camden, Arkansas; two granddaughters, Kimberly Renee Tomlin and husband Robert of Hope, Arkansas and Jennifer Elisabeth Gaston and husband Mike of Camden, Arkansas; great grandsons, Cody and Cole Ayers and Keller Tomlin of Hope, Arkansas and Ben Gaston of Camden, Arkansas.

Also remaining is her sister, Vera Lee Hewkin of Atlanta, Georgia; four brothers, John James "Chuck" Bouse and Connie of Cuba, Missouri; Jackie Herschel Bouse and wife Julie of Foley, Alabama; Noel Adrain "Pete" Bouse and Sharon and Tommy Wayne "Tom" Bouse and wife Ruby, all of Cuba, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Hallie Bouse, Jane Bouse and Joyce Bouse, all of Steelville, Missouri; twenty-five nieces and nephews; caretaker Patti Winer Cox (niece) of Hope, Arkansas; the staff of Cuba Manor; other relatives and many friends.

Verna Mae (Bouse) Ayers lay in state 6-9 P.M. Monday, August 29, 2005 at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at the First Baptist Church, Steelville, Missouri with Jeff Wilson officiating and Bill Creecy assisting. Musical selections were provided by the Bouse family; Sandra Wilson (niece) of Cuba, Pamela Bouse (niece) of Springfield, Joyce Bouse (sister-in-law) of Steelville, Brad Bouse (nephew) of Cuba and Brock Bouse (nephew) of Bourbon, Missouri. Committal prayers and interment were in Fairview Cemetery, Butt, Missouri. Serving as pallbearers were grandson: Sam Bailey, Chad Ayers and Mike Gaston and nephews: Jerry "Nip" Bouse and Tommy Bouse.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.

Independent Journal, Potosi, MO, Thursday, September 15, 2005