Lee Royce Ayers

Lee Royce Ayers, 85, of Oakland City, passed away Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Envive Health of Evansville. He was born October 30, 1938 in Charleston, Missouri to the late, Royce Ayers and Pansy (Uthoff) Ayers. Education was very important to Lee, graduating from Oakland City College with his Bachelor’s degree before completing his Master’s Degree at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He served as a pastor to many, over 40+ years and was also a businessman of many trades, including serving as mayor of Oakland City for 4 years. He was a past member of the Masonic Lodge and the Jaycees, and a current longtime member of the First General Baptist Church of Oakland City. “Papa Lee” was known for his love for his family, gospel music, and being an IU basketball & St. Louis Cardinals fan.  Over the last 20 years, he truly enjoyed visiting with friends on the deck, at his old Kentucky home. He was loved dearly and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bonnie Ayers of Oakland City; daughter, Sheri Powers (Timothy) of Oakland City; son, John Ayers (Shaleen) of Oakland City; grandchildren, Lauren Schmidt (Myles), Alexander Powers (Hannah), Nicolas Powers (Whitney), Kendall Ayers (Lauren), Kelise Perkins (Kasey), and Kenzie Ayers (Tristan Vickers); 13 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Neva Settles (Fred Cannon) and Belinda Ayers (Char Molinaro).

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The Ayers family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to all of the staff at Envive, for the compassionate care of Papa Lee these last few months.  It is greatly appreciated.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the First General Baptist Church in Oakland City. Interment will follow at Montgomery Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held from 11 until 1:00 PM Tuesday at the church.  

For those who wish, memorial contributions can be given to the Oakland City University located at 138 N. Lucretia St., Oakland City, IN 47660 or to the First General Baptist Church located at 224 W. Harrison St., Oakland City, IN 47660. Envelopes will also be available at the service.

Online condolences can be given at CornColvinFuneralHome.com where you can also share a memory of Lee. Corn Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ayers family.

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