Mary Lee Ayers, age 88, of Richlands, Virginia, died Thursday, December 1, 2011 at Clinch Valley Medical Center, Richlands, Virginia after a long illness.

She was born July 29, 1923 in Montcalm, West Virginia and was the daughter of the late Henry Wall and Nettie Surface Mabe.

Mrs. Ayers was a Class of 1941 graduate of Bluefield High School. She was a long time employee of Surface Banana Company in Bluewell, West Virginia. She had spent most of her life in the Bluewell, West Virginia area and was a charter member of the Bluewell Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Millard (Abe) Ayers, step-father, Henry Mabe, one sister, Billie Jean Bentley and one brother, Harry "Sonny" Mabe, Jr.

Those that survive her are:

Daughter:

Brenda Ayers of Richlands, Virginia

One Sister:

Sara Johnson of Bluewell, West Virginia

One Sister-in-Law:

Barbara Mabe of Port Orange, Florida

Two nieces and three nephews also survive.

Special thanks to the Mayfair Assisted Living and the staff of second and fifth floors of Clinch Valley Medical Center.

Funeral services for Mary Lee Ayers will be conducted Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 1:30 pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with Rev. Larry Ramey officiating. Entombment will be Monday, December 5, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum in Bluewell, West Virginia with the Rev. Stephen Rector officiating. Friends may call from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Sunday afternoon at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia. Memorial contributions can be made to: "RHS Gives Back", c/o RHS, 138 Tornado Alley, Richlands, Virginia 24641. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.