David Samuel Ayers

There never lived a man who loved life more than David Ayers. Taken from the world too soon, he went to be with our Lord on Sunday, September 21, 2014. Whether he was out fishing, dancing to steel drums in the islands, or at home with his beloved family, the man knew how to have a good time and make everyone around him smile. His favorite phrase was, "If you can't have fun, don't go," and he lived his life honoring that motto every day. Born September 11, 1946 in Kosciusko, MS, to the late Ben & Mildred Ayers, he had a heart so big and so full of love and never missed an opportunity to tell people around him how much he loved them. His love for his beloved wife, Carolyn "Jeannie" Ayers, his soul mate, was perfection. Each and every day of their 31 years of marriage he honored her and loved her to his fullest potential. Their love was epic, a thing of true beauty. They built a gorgeous family together, and his legacy lives on through his three beautiful daughters and their children. Tiffany Ayers Gerych (Brian Gerych) of Ocean Springs, Aimee Ayers Fellows (Shawn Fellows) of Ocean Springs, and Elizabeth Starr O'Brien (David O'Brien) of Grand Rapids, MI were the other loves of his life. He was an incredible, loving father who gave his girls invaluable guidance and love their entire lives. Daddy's girls learned to laugh and love and how to "make 'em count," among a million other valuable lessons. He is survived by three sisters who loved their "Big Bother" dearly. Margaret (Tommy) McArthur of Mobile, AL, Harriet (Dale) Stone of Monroe, LA, and Beth (Kevin) Stone of Ocean Springs. Of all the titles he held, though, Papa was the one he wore most proudly. His seven precious grand babies knew the love of their Papa, the Magic Man, and their lives were blessed because of it. He loved Christian, Brittany, Alexander, Hilton, Aidan, Ainsley, and Reagan with all his heart. The world was a better place because of David, or Bubba, as he was so affectionately called by so many. He will be remembered for his smile, his great sense of humor and his love for God and for his family, whom he made so very proud. Those who were blessed enough to know him are asked to raise a glass in his honor and smile, because as he said so many times, "every little 'ting is gonna be alright." Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 23, from 6pm until 8pm, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Wednesday, September 24, there will be a 2pm chapel service in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park.