Evelyn Thompson Ayres

AYRES, Evelyn Thompson Of Nashville and Memphis. Died Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Saint Thomas Hospital after a brief illness. She was a life long resident of Memphis and had lived in Nashville for the past five years at the The St. Paul Retirement Community. Evelyn was born on a farm near Toone, Tennessee on August 11, 1920, the youngest of seven children to William and LouAda Thompson. As a young woman, she moved to Memphis where she met and married Willis Edward Ayres, Jr. They raised three children in Memphis, Beth Ayres Campbell of Nashville, Ann Ayres Christ of Bristol and Willis Ayres III of Memphis. Her greatest legacy to her children was her steadfast love, encouragement and unwavering faith in God. The adoration, respect and honor her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren felt for her was boundless. Evelyn was a woman of great strength of character. She enjoyed life and all her friends and family. Evelyn particularly enjoyed a rubber of bridge. She was an avid bridge player and loved the friendships, intellectual stimulation and competition. She played bridge until her final illness. In addition, Evelyn loved competitive sports, particularly the Men's Professional Tennis Tour and both college and NBA Basketball. Evelyn and Willis were charter members of Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis. Later, she was very active at Second Presbyterian Church where she volunteered weekly in the church library and was a leader in her church circle. She was also a member of DAR, Kings Daughters and Salvation Army Auxiliary. Evelyn and Willis loved to travel, taking trips to countries around the world. The Ayres were owners of several small businesses in Memphis prior to moving to Nashville. In Nashville, Evelyn's bridge skills were in high demand and she loved playing with her friends at The St. Paul. She took great joy babysitting her great grandchildren delighted in going to their school programs and sporting events. She was famous for her wonderful sour dough coffee cake which she generously shared with family and friends. She was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, The Widows Group and also The Book Club. Evelyn is survived by Beth Campbell (Bill), Ann Christ (Charles) and Willis Ayres (Cathy); grandchildren, Anne Calton (John), Missy Markham (Doug), Chip Campbell (Anastasia), Anna Christ, Ayres Christ, Cooper Ayres, Morgan Ayres and Sarah Jane Ayres. She also is survived by eight great grandchildren, Tom Markham, Campbell Markham, Melissa Markham, Elizabeth Calton, Andrew Calton, Hannah Brit Campbell, Liam Campbell and John Campbell. There will be a reception at the St. Paul Retirement Community Center on Sunday, July 19th from 2-3 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 3:15 p.m. The family will have a visitation on Monday, July 20th from 12 noon til 1:30 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN followed by graveside service at 2 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis. Evelyn's grandsons and great grandsons will be Pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville; Second Presbyterian Church Library in Memphis or Alive Hospice of Nashville. MEMPHIS FUNERAL HOME, (901) 725-0100 memphisfuneralhome.net