- Date Of Birth: November 3, 1918
- Date Of Death: June 21, 2013
- State: Indiana
Dorothy R. Ayers, 94, of Anderson, passed away on June 21, 2013 at the Countryside Manor Health Care, Anderson. Dorothy succumbed to illness after a fall that broke her hip in January.
She was born on November 3, 1918 in Indiana to Carl and Lois Summers. She married Gerald D. Ayers on April 21, 1939 and had three children; Anita, Eric, and Teresa. Dorothy began her career as a legal secretary after attending Anderson Business School. However, Dorothy always had a passion for teaching and in 1957 she began taking classes at Anderson College and became an elementary school teacher.
She taught 27 years in Anderson Public Schools including Riley and Brentwood. Dorothy was a pioneer in team teaching, teaching the 5th grade with Wilma Summit for many years. Dorothy loved children and loved teaching them. She enjoyed reminiscing with past students that she often encountered around town. Her students often told her that she was their favorite teacher and that they appreciated her prayers for them at the beginning of each school day. While teaching, Dorothy returned to college to obtain her Master’s Degree and complete the course work for a PhD at Ball State University.
She then taught night classes on teaching methods in the education department of Anderson College for six years. During the summers, Dorothy and Gerald would take their children and then grandchildren all over the United States on educational trips to enrich their lives and knowledge. Education was always Dorothy’s passion no matter who the audience! Dorothy attended Park Place Church of God and was a devout Christian reading 10 chapters of her bible every evening.
She spent a lot of time in prayer, praying faithfully for her family and those in need. Dorothy’s family came first in her life and she would always tell them “If you need me, you call and I will be there”. You knew that you had a place in her heart and in her home. Dorothy led a rich and interesting life, was loved deeply by her family and will be missed.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Anita Olivia Michael, Paul Eric Ayers Jan, and Teresa E. Tabor; brothers, John Summers and Mark Summers Betty; and grandchildren, Gerald Eric Michael Collette, Marcus D. Fuller Mary, Kristin A. Fuller and Megan E. Ayers.
She also has five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Lois Summers; husband, Gerald D. Ayers; sister, Peggy Frazier; grandson, Jeremiah J. Fuller; and two sons-in-law, D. David Fuller and Donald Tabor.
