Ayers, Gloria J., 81, on November 30 went to be with the Lord and her late husband Boyd Ayers.
Gloria was born in Chicago and the only surviving daughter of George and Glenora Riley. Gloria met her first husband, Edward C. Sweet, when she was working at Fifth Army Headquarters in Chicago. The marriage produced one son, Kenneth. After tours of duty in Kansas, Texas, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, Gloria returned to school at the North Carolina State University campus, at the Army Education Center at Fort Bragg. She worked for NC State and eventually earned a BS degree in Sociology. After her divorce, she earned her Master’s degree in Sociology at the main campus of NC State in Raleigh, Gloria accepted a position on the faculty at Pembroke State University, now UNC- Pembroke. Gloria taught at Pembroke for many years and other colleges and universities with programs located at the Fort Bragg Center. While investigating a position with Nova Southeastern University she met her future husband, Boyd Ayers. In marrying Boyd in 1978, Gloria gained more children and she and Kenneth became part of a much larger family. Gloria and Boyd spent many happy years together and after Boyd’s retirement from Fayetteville Technical Community College, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, they moved to Louisville to be near family. Gloria and Boyd enjoyed travel and all that Louisville had to offer. Gloria was an avid scrabble player and reader. They were very active in the Messiah-Trinity Church of Louisville, and Gloria continued to be very active in that church after Boyd’s passing in 2007.
Gloria is survived by sons Kenneth Sweet of Altamonte Springs, FL, Bert and Debbie Ayers of Gainesville, FL, Alan and Jeanne Ayers of Lancaster, PA, Bob and Kathy Ayres of Louisville, KY and daughter Joy and Keith Greene of Johnson City, TN and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Messiah-Trinity Lutheran-Episcopal Church, 8701 Shepherdsville Road in Louisville on December 15th at 1 PM. Owen Funeral Home - Jeffersonton entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Gloria Ayers are requested to be donated to MUSCL area ministries.