Grace Winnifred Ayers

Grace Winnifred (Winnie) Ayers passed away July 7th at home surrounded by family after a brief illness. Winnie was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Alfred and Grace Brannon Sears. An Atlanta native, she grew up in the Kirkwood area and graduated from Murphy High School in 1952. Soon after she met Vern Ayers and they were married in 1954 and had two daughters, Diane and Cindy. They eventually settled in the Northlake/Atlanta area where they have resided for the past 56 years.

Winnie was a longtime member of Clairmont Hills Baptist Church in Decatur. She worked part-time as a market researcher for Focus on Atlanta, She was a member of the Tucker Women's club for many years where she worked on fundraisers for various charities. She did volunteer work for Northlake Medical Center.  She loved to bowl and was in a women's league at Suburban Lanes in Decatur where she won many trophies. She was also a wonderful cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and grandchildren who she loved dearly.

She is survived by her husband, Marion Lavern (Vern) Ayers of Atlanta, daughters, Diane Ayers Lanier of Norcross, Cindy Ayers Bates (Wayne) of Snellville, grandsons Robert Lanier (Ginger) of Lawrenceville, Nathan McKinney (Christina) of Lawrenceville, great-grandson's Austin and Ethan Lanier of Lawrenceville and great-granddaughter Lorelei Jade Mckinney of Lawrenceville.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Stephen Sears of Canton and William Sears of Atlanta, son-in-law Lance Lanier of Norcross and grandson, Timothy Lanier of Norcross.

A memorial service will held at a future date (to be determined).