Vickie Ayres

Vickie Sue Ayres CHESAPEAKE - It is with both sadness and celebration of a soul's new beginning that we say good-bye to Vickie Sue Ayres, 62, of Chesapeake. Vickie went to be with the lord Nov. 16, 2010 after a brief but courageous battle with lung cancer. She was the daughter of the late Virginia and William Mirgain. She was a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Vickie had a tremendous love for her family, always embracing the opportunity to have everyone gathered together in her kitchen, sharing stories and laughing at memories. She had a beautiful talent for playing the piano with elegance and grace and an undying devotion for the St. Louis Cardinals. Vickie's graciousness towards others was without hesitation and although her generous spirit has set off to embark upon a new journey in the Lord's care, it will forever live in the hearts of the many lives she has so dearly touched. She is survived by her beloved husband of 41 blessed years retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. H. Grant Ayres; daughters, Kim A. Vanderheyden of Murfreesboro, Tenn., son-in-law Don Vanderheyden of Murfreesboro, Kelly A. Baker and husband Blake of Suffolk, Heather A. Kirby and husband Matt of Houston, Shannon A. Velez and husband Eitown of Chesapeake, and Stephanie J. Ayres of Murfreesboro; grandchildren, Nicholas, Breanna, Tyler, Madie, Abby, Buddy, William, and Mia; stepgrandchildren, A.J. Vanderheyden and Kristen Rowland; mother-in-law, Dorothy M. Ayres of Chesapeake; sister, Beverly Black and husband Gary of Pottstown, Pa.; brother, William E. Mirgain and wife Roni Ann of St. Louis; sister-in-law, Barbara Stark and husband Thomas of Naperville, Ill.; brother-in-law, Lee H. Ayres of San Jose, Calif. A funeral will be conducted Friday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Randy McMillen, in Baker-Foster Funeral Home, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435, with burial in the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the funeral home today, Nov. 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Grove UMC, 472 N. Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23320, the American Cancer Society, 604 Constance Woods Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116 - 7023. Condolences may be registered at www.bakerfoster.com.