Dean R. "Buckwheat" AYERS, 74, of 209 W. Julian St., Martinsburg, died
Monday morning, Nov. 10, 2003, at his residence. He had been in failing
health for the past four years. Born July 25, 1929, in Henrietta,
Martinsburg, RR. 1, he was the son of the late Dean and Mary Elizabeth
(Riley) Ayers. He was united in marriage to Marian E. 'Tiny" Whitfield,
Saxton area native, Jan. 21, 1961, at the Woodbury parsonage by the Rev.
John Witmer. He is survived by his wife; a brother, George Ayers, of
Martinsburg; and two sisters, June Bassler of Roaring Spring and Lydia
Leidy of Martinsburg, R.R. 1. He was preceded in death by six brothers:
Elwood, Glenn, Donald, Robert, Richard and, in infancy, Gerald; and two
sisters: Mildred Homer and Metda Rose "Pose" Johnson. Mr. Ayers was a
member of Mount Pleasant United Church of Christ, Martinsburg, R.R. 1.
He was a 1947 graduate of Morrisons Cove High School, rural Martinsburg.
He retired as a paper roller operator from both Blank Book and Spring
Cove Container companies, Roaring Spring, in 1991 after 41 years of
service. Mr. Ayers enjoyed umpiring and playing fast-pitch softball. He
also enjoyed playing cards and watching Atlanta Braves baseball on TV.
He was an avid hunter and trapper and enjoyed spending time with his
numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.
Thursday at the John C. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Martinsburg, with
Pastor Dorothy L. Steele officiating. Interment will be made in Mount
Pleasant Church Cemetery, Martinsburg, R.R. 1.