Mary Ruth Gunter Ayers, 82, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at Mitchell House in Spruce Pine. She was born June 2, 1937, in Mitchell County, the daughter of Willis A. and Iva Burleson Gunter. Her beloved husband, Bobby Ayers, died in 1987.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brothers, Ray Gunter and Ralph Gunter; half-brother, Avery Gunter; and half-sisters, Ada Gunter Silver, Ellen Gunter Woody and Nora Hughes Deal.
Mary Ruth, known to her niece, Rhonda Gunter, and nephew, Mike Gunter, as Ruth, is survived by her brother, Howard Gunter (Lois); and her sisters-in-law, Carol Gunter and Veida Ayers. Nieces and nephews, in addition to Rhonda and Mike, are Richard and Steve Gunter, Leigh Swann, Lynn Winkler, Marie Gardner, Sabra Passman, Kathy Gay Sullivan, Reva Gunter Giles, Pat Gunter Howell and Mike Ayers.
Ruth was a lifelong member of Beaver Creek Baptist Church, and she loved her church family. Also dear to her were the beloved pets, which were her companions through the years. She enjoyed reading, cross-stitch embroidery, and cooking delicious meals for family and friends. She will be missed very much.
Services for Mrs. Ayers were 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the Chapel of Webb Funeral Home with the Rev. Brandon Pittman officiating. A time to receive friends was 1-2 p.m. Interment was in the Green Young Cemetery.
Mike and Rhonda are grateful to the staff of Mitchell House, and to Kallan Harris and the other folks at Medi Home Hospice and Palliative Care of Newland for their excellent care of Aunt Ruth.
Instead of flowers, please consider a donation in Ruth’s memory to Medi Home Hospice & Palliative Care.
Mitchell News-Journal • Dec. 18, 2019