Geraldine “Jerry” Maude Ayers

Geraldine "Jerry" Maude Ayers, 83, Overland Park, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 27, 2011, at Sunrise Assisted Living, Lenexa, Kansas.

Jerry was born May 12, 1927, in Redfield, Kansas to William and Carolyn (Turner) Bilyew. On July 2, 1949, Jerry married Maurice F. Ayers, Jr., in Fort Scott, Kansas. She was a member of the Shawnee United Methodist Church. Jerry had been an active volunteer for the Republican Party while living in Wichita, Kansas. She was a saleswoman for Avon for many years.

Jerry was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice on March 21, 1997; two sisters, Wilma Warren and Ernestine Basel; brother, William Charles Bilyew; and her parents. Survivors include her son, Maurice "Trey" F. Ayers, III and wife, Denise, Overland Park, KS; daughter, Emma Bennett and husband, Jim, Tonganoxie, Kansas; sisters, Louise Young, Overland Park, Kansas and Wanda McKinnis, Warrensburg, Missouri; brother, Charles "Bill" Bilyew, Overland Park, Kansas; four grandchildren, Sarah Schleuger, Mathew Overbaugh, Kathleen Ayers and Brian Ayers; and one great grandson, Brody Schleuger.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association-Heart of America Chapter, 3846 W. 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208 or online at www.alz.org/kansascity

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will Be from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Marchy 2, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Thursday, March 3, 2011, at the Shawnee United Methodist Church; burial in the Pleasant View Cemetery.