Dorothy Jean Ayers

On Wednesday morning, February 22, 2017, Dorothy Jean Ayers went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dorothy came into this world on March 9, 1927, as Gina Galluccio, born to Italian immigrants, Dominick and Maria Galluccio, who came to America in search of a better life. She spent her early life living in the coal mining town of Wyco, West Virginia, and then moved to MacArthur, West Virginia, where she spent the remainder of her life. At age 19, she married the love of her life, Clinton C. Ayers, Sr., on September 12, 1946. Dorothy and Clinton were married almost 60 years when he died four years ago, at age 91. Dorothy devoted all of her strength to take care of Clinton during his long illness before he passed.

Since she was a small child, Dorothy was a dedicated Christian and led an exemplary life of kindness, holiness, and compassion. To think of her is to think of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her primary goal in life was to be the best possible wife and mother. She read the Bible every day and prayed for hours. She expressed to her son, Mark, just a few days ago when she was ill, that she told the Lord she wanted to love him as much as humanly possible, and she meant it with all her heart. She was a woman of unwavering faith, trusting God in every part of her life and the lives of her family. When her son, Gene, was at the point of death, Dorothy believed against all odds that he would be healed, and he recovered from a massive brain hemorrhage. Her outstanding faith in God will continue to live in the lives of her family.

Dorothy is survived by four sons: Clinton C. Ayers, Jr. of Beckley W. Va.; Gary S. Ayers, Sr. and wife Dana of Beckley, W. Va.; Dr. Mark A. Ayers and wife Judy of Hurricane, W. Va.; and Gene P. Ayers and wife Debra of Irmo, S.C.; nine grandchildren: Gary S. Ayers, Jr. and wife Jewell of Daniels, W. Va.; Angela E. England and husband Ivan of Midway, W. Va.; Alisha D. Hernandez and husband Rev. Ryan Hernandez of Summerville, S.C.; Jeremy A. Ayers of Pittsburgh, PA; Daniel S. Ayers and wife Violette of Lexington, S.C.; Amy N. Ayers of Irmo, S.C.; Timothy P. Ayers of Irmo, S.C.; Diana L. Ayers of Roanoke, VA; and Charity K. Lawrence and husband Jacob of Hurricane, W. Va.; twelve great-grandchildren: Brandon Ayers and Ashley Ayers of Daniels, W. Va.; Rachel Moore and husband James of Midway, W. Va.; Hannah Christian and husband Paul of Rainelle, W. Va.; Travess Smalley and wife Kaela of New York, NY; Olivia Hernandez and Nathan Hernandez of Summerville, S.C.; LilyCait Ayers, Kinsley Ayers and Ellaya Ayers of Lexington, S.C.; and Kendall Lawrence and unborn baby brother of Hurricane, W. Va. Dorothy is also survived by two unborn great-great-grandchildren: Matthew Christian, son of Hannah and Paul Christian, and the child of Travess and Kaela Smalley, whose gender is not yet known and brother Tillman Galluccio of Malabar, FL

The family wants to thank all of the wonderful staff at The Bowers Hospice House, Dr. Kelly Pitsenbarger, who was Dorothy’s family physician for many years, and all of Dorothy’s wonderful friends for their kindness, love and prayers. A special thanks to Tommy and ZoAnn Cochran for the many acts of kindness and love they have shown the Ayers family over the years. The family desires for expressions of sympathy to be made in the form of donations to The Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, West Virginia, 25801.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Cross Point Church of God, 110 Crescent Rd with her sons, Dr. Mark Ayers and Rev. Gary Ayers officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park.

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.