Emma Sue Ayers, 89

Emma Sue Ayers, 89, of Ellenboro, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Emma Sue was the widow of Jack Ayers and the daughter of the late P.R. and Kate Keever Jones. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Annie Bell Robbins and Katie Lou Wells, and by her brothers Bob Jones, Arthur Lee Jones, Pink Jones, Clifford Jones, Jerry Jones, Charles Jones, Rev. David Jones, Ted Jones, John Jones, and Rev. Perry Jones and Ray Keever.

Emma Sue had a deep and unwavering love for her family, which was evident in everything she did. She especially cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Additionally her love extended just as fully to her many brothers and sisters, as well as her nieces and nephews—each one held a special place in her heart.

Emma Sue was a longtime member of Walls Baptist Church, where she once served as a Sunday School teacher. She dearly loved her church and all of her church family. In her later years, she enjoyed fellowship at the Bethel Meal Site, where she made new friends and shared many smiles and stories of her beloved family.

She was an avid reader, enjoyed watching her favorite tv shows, and when she was able she found joy in traveling—especially to Pigeon Forge and Myrtle Beach where her and Jack made lifelong friends there. Emma Sue never met a stranger and her warmth, kindness, and wit left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered.

She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Ayers Wall and her husband Mike, of Forest City; her sister, Joann Blankenship of Union Mills; her grandchildren, Cassie Byers and her husband Christopher, and Tony Wall and his wife Brittany; her great-grandchildren, Jackson Byers, Jillian Byers, Jeryn Byers, and Landry Sue Wall. She is also survived by her adopted granddaughter, Michelle McGinnis and her husband Chuck and their son Garrett McGinnis.

The funeral will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Walls Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jerry Causby officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers are Chris Ayers, Clint Dodson, Doyle Hollifield, Aaron Vickers, Tim Jones and Andrew Fisher. 

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at Washburn & Dorsey Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Walls Baptist Senior Citizens Fund or the Walls Baptist Soup Kitchen, at 749 Walls Church Road, Bostic, NC 28018.