Viola Jean Ayers

Jean Ayers (legally Viola Jean) was born December 29, 1927 in Miami, Texas to Jesse & Lilly Daughetee.
In 1930, the family moved to Pleasant View, Colorado, and she spent the rest of her life in southwest Colorado, passing on to Heaven from Durango December 19, 2023. Jean married Ernest C. Ayers December 14, 1946 and was a partner in their dryland farming operation until he died January 6, 1982. She continued to live on and maintain the farm until her family helped her move to Cottonwood Rehab & Healthcare in the fall of 2020.
The Ayers family was blessed with two children, who survive her: Roger (Sheryl) Ayers and Devota Connie (Kenny) Dossey. She was a loving grandmother to six grandchildren and eleven great-grands: Carrie Ayers Stankiewicz (married to Mark, children Tyler & Natalie), Shelly Ayers McEnaney (married to Ken, children Ella Reeson & Thomas Reeson); Richard Dossey (married to Kia, children Tayler & Mary), David Dossey (married to Michelle, children Keirnen & Avery), Tisha Vandervort (married to Todd, children Hannah & Amber), and Matthew Dossey (married to Kristie Klatt, son Dyllan Sass).
Jean was a long-time member of Hesperus Church, and she and Ernest helped build the current building. She was a member of Breen Grange in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, where she filled elected offices, and she had been a member of Marvel Grange since 1985.
Jean enjoyed fishing, big game hunting, horseback riding, sewing and playing cards with neighbors. Always living on a farm, she learned to preserve food for the family and to cook meals with whatever was available. She was known for her delicious bread and cinnamon rolls. Many have been blessed with oil paintings from her, mostly western landscapes.
Jean was predeceased by her husband, Ernest; her parents; brothers Earl and Lawrence and sister, Lela Fredriksen. She is survived by her two children, six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be Saturday, December 30, at Hesperus Church (22972 Highway 140), with burial at the Kline Cemetery (786 County Road 119) and a meal following that at Breen Community Building (15300 Highway 140). Meat and beverages will be provided; those who wish may bring a side dish or dessert.