Lois Irene Ayres, 82, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 6, 2014. She was born in Marblemount Washington on June 6, 1932 to Charles and Carrie (Huffman) Stafford. She was raised in Marblemount and graduated from Concrete High School in 1950. She was married to the love of her life William B Ayres on December 9, 1955. Within a few years they moved to Grays Harbor County and lived in Hoquiam and Montesano until returning to Skagit County in 2003 to be close to her family. She lived in Burlington and attended Faith Baptist Church in Burlington Washington.
Her interests in life were her passion for gardening flowers, fruits and vegetables. She was a member of the Wynoochee Valley Grange in Montesano, Washington and won many blue ribbons for her preserves and home canning at Grange exhibitions at the County Fair in Elma Washington. She also held different offices in the Grange Association. Other things she enjoyed were traveling with her family including her sisters, they made several trips together. She loved going to Bingo and playing Pinochle.
She is survived by her children, Chuck (Cheryl) Ayres, Stanley Ayres, Linda (Billy) Johnson and Debbie (Chuck) Hebert; 5 grandchildren, Shannon, Nicholas, Kristin, Kelsey, and Gabe, 2 great grandsons, Michael and Daniel; sisters, Flora Woodring, Mary (George) Anderson; brother, Jerry Stafford; sister-in laws Connie Stafford & Rosalee Stafford; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Ayres; and her siblings Ernest Stafford, Robert Stafford, Jack Stafford, Ruth Case and John (JD) Stafford, brother-in-laws Richard Woodring, jr. & Jim Case.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 10:00AM at the Lyman Cemetery with Pastor Jim Shaw officiating. Following services the family invites you to join them for a fellowship luncheon at 11:00AM at the Faith Baptist Church at 800 E Rio Vista Ave in Burlington, WA. All are welcome to attend
We were very sorry to hear of Lois’ passing. We truly enjoyed having her as our neighbor for many years. The pleasant visits over the fence, at the mail box, in our living rooms and wherever we might meet during our daily business. We’ll miss the wonderful things that she so generously shared from her little garden. Our deepest sympathy to Stan, Linda, Debbie, Mary, Flora Lee and families ~ she will be greatly missed.
I was very sad to hear of Lois’s passing. We had a good visit at the Marblemount/Rockport reunion this summer. I well recall nearly 60 years ago when we lived in the same boarding house in Mt. Vernon. Lois’s son Stan, has always been a true friend to my son. Our love to the family and especially to Mary and Flora Lee.
With love and sorrow,
Den and Connie Eldridge