Michael Ayers, Sr.

Michael Ayers, Sr., 72 passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022, in Oxford, MS. Visitation will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 10:00 AM -12:00 Noon at First Baptist Church of Coffeeville, with the funeral service immediately following. Interment will take place at the Coffeeville Cemetery. Bro. Truman Scarborough and Bro. Craig Baker will serve as officiants. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley will oversee arrangements.

Michael, or “Mike”, as he was known to most, was born January 31, 1950, to the late James Oscar Ayers and Robbie Dees Ayers. A 1968 graduate of Coffeeville High School, Mike played baseball, basketball and ran track. He sang tenor in the high school’s choir. A known socialite, he was elected Class President and recognized by his schoolmates as “Most Popular”. He was 100% Coffeeville Pirate and spoke with fondness of his teachers, most notably Mr. Ed Lowe, Mrs. Doris Pace and Coach Aaron Burney, his administrators and classmates during his time at CHS.

Upon earning an Associates Degree and Certification in Radiologic Technology from the University of Tennessee-Memphis College of Health Sciences, he embarked on a 40-year career in Radiologic Technical Services, serving in various capacities within the Radiology Departments at Grenada County Hospital (later Grenada Lake Medical Center), Baptist Memorial Hospital and Yalobusha General Hospital. Mike was a hard worker who put in lengthy hours for many years to extend care to his patients and held a strong work ethic as an example to those who served alongside him.

Mike was a faithful member and Deacon of First Baptist Church of Coffeeville, where he enjoyed singing in the choir and performing as a soloist. The annual Christmas Cantata was always a favorite and members spoke for many years of the joy his voice brought them over the years.

Beyond his work and church life, he loved and valued the Town of Coffeeville. Mike served as an Alderman beginning in 2006 under the leadership of Mayor Mack Burns and Mayor William Shelton. He worked tirelessly with the Board to improve and provide services to the citizenry while being a good steward of the Town resources.

Mike’s personal drive, servant’s heart and empathy for people is the legacy best remembered by his children and grandchildren. He provided for his family, both immediate and extended in many ways, tangible and intangible and gave of himself continually above and beyond the normal work day.

Other activities that brought him great joy were serving as President of the Yalobusha County Historical Society, The Grenada Lions Club, Friends of the Coffeeville Library and the Jaycees. In his spare time, Mike could be found working in his yard, cruising around town or through the countryside and of course passionately following his favorite sports teams, the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys and anything and everything involving the Ole Miss Rebels. His beloved pets, Jenna and Ivy, brought him much entertainment, companionship and joy and each enjoyed driving out to Grenada Lake for good views and spectacular sunsets and serenity. He was not an accomplished outdoorsman, but his proudest moment was landing a 4+lb Crappie out of the Grenada spillway (unofficially weighed by a park ranger) in 1986.

Mike is survived by his children, Michael (Dawn) Ayers of Cordova, TN; Jennifer (Matt) Reeves of Spring, TX; Brad (Kelley) Ayers of Coffeeville, MS; his grandchildren, Olivia Jane Ayers, Molly Jean Ayers, Mason Parker Ayers, Owen Michael Ayers, Jackson Taylor Reeves, Grace Elisabeth Reeves, Ella Rose Reeves, Anna Love Reeves, Anderson Lewis Reeves, Bradley Parker Ayers and Preston Asher Ayers; and his siblings, Mary Kimzey of Water Valley and Dwight Ayers of Coffeeville; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Michael Ayers, Sr. can be made to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital .

Online condolences can be left on his Tribute Wall at
sevenoaksfuneralhome.com