Velma Camaline Ayers, aged 89, died peacefully on February 26, 2016 at StonesCroft Health Campus. Velma was born April 27, 1926 in Bloomington Indiana, the daughter of Inez Elizabeth Hampton Sherrill and Elmer Sherrill. She was primarily raised by her maternal grandparents Emma Mathis Hampton and Charles Hampton of rural Salt Creek Township. Velma was a woman of strong religious faith.
She and husband Hershel Ayers celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on January 2, 2016. Velma and Hershel were married on January 2, 1941 by the Reverent Alsorah Schreckenhaust at her church on West 6th Street. As was common in the times she married at 15 and grew up with her kids, she was a mother of 8 at age 30 and was 31 when her oldest graduated from high school.
Velma was the matriarch of a large family and was devoted to her children and grand children. She was always willing to help her friends or family, whether it was clothes shopping for her daughters, running errands, baby sitting, or caring for sick family members. She kept a bag packed so that she and her friend Flora Campbell could climb into the motor home with their kids and grandkids and hit the road for exploration of the USA. She loved Florida Beaches, Bourbon Street in New Orleans, the magnificent mile in Chicago, the Arch in St Louis, the small towns along the East Coast, touring plantation homes, the Biltmore House, House on the Rock, and other historical sites. She especially loved being with her family.
Velma was very artistic, she was an accomplished oil on canvas painter, she refused to sell her paintings and preferred to know her paintings were hanging in homes of friends and family. Her home made quilts were displayed in the Ben Franklin store front windows on the square in Bloomington, she enjoyed making clothes for her kids, baking and cake decorating, gathering information on family history, and square dancing. She believed in setting the example for others and was the primary caregiver for her parents and siblings during their final years.
She is survived by husband of 75 years Hershel Ayers and Children Jerry Ayers, Phillip Ayers (Pam), Hershel {Duke} Ayers (Patty), Nancy Shaw (Bob), Samuel Ayers (Barbara), William {Bill} Ayers (Debbie), Karen Cain (Don), and Mary Van Deventer (John).
Also Grand Children, Brad Ayers (April), Chris Ayers (Samantha), Randy Ayers, John Ayers (Debby), Rob Ayers (Jennifer), Kevin Shaw (Lisa), Jessica Shaw Scott, Sarah Shaw Gilliland (Brad), Stacy Wheeler (Mark), Sean Ayers, Seth Ayers, Ben Ayers (Kylie), Chad Edwards (Sherry), Eric Edwards (Megon), Mathew Cain (Brittannie) Amy Cain Bowling (Eric), Laura Cain Lucas (Brad), Mandy VanDeventer Taylor (Chad), and Kara VanDeventer Quimby (Craig). Great Grand Children Kirsten Ayers Bartalone (Nick), Natasha Ayers Potter(Tyler), Nathan Ayers, Riley Ayers, Ramzie Ayers, Reese Ayers Conner Ayers, Blake Ayers, Jordan Scott, Jalen Scott, Mackenzie Scott Conrad(Zac), Oliva Scott, Brady Scott, Alexis Shaw, Colin Shaw, Natasha Shaw, Lucas Shaw, Eli Wheeler, Autumn Wheeler, Abby Edwards, Taylor Jarbo, Katelyn Edwards, Haylee Edwards, Mason Edwards, Ethan Edwards, Kaylyn Ayers, Wesley Ayers, Parker Lucas, Hadley Lucas, Madison Cain, Macey Cain, Huxlee Cain, Bella Bowling, Isaac Bowling, Taylor Bryant, Austin Bryant, Ashton Taylor, Cale Taylor, Eli Taylor, Laney Quimby, Leila Quimby, Jake Smith, Jaxson Smith.
She was preceded in Death by a grandson Troy Ayers, granddaughter Michelle Ayers, her parents and Siblings Edna Vasko ( Mike), Lucille Kincaid (George), Louise Reel (Edward), Vernon Sherrill (Gertie), Virgil Sherrill (Annetta), and Cecil Penner (Fred)
Velma proudly carried her purple flower at the Bloomington Walk to end Alzheimer’s for nearly 8 years. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Velma’s name to help find a cure for Alzheimers either online at alz.org, by phone (800-272-9300) or by mail (Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011.
A grave side service will be at the Knight Ridge Cemetery at 11:00 am on February 29, 2016.