Jesse Freeman Ayers

jesse ayers
Services for Jesse Ayers will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, November 3, 2016 at the Caves Springs Cemetery with Bro. Bryan Baggett and Ryan Surratt officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden.

Jesse Freeman Ayers was born in Cass County, Texas on August 12, 1936. He passed from this life on October 30, 2016 in his home, in Linden, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents Freeman Ayers and Florine Ayers, brother-in-law Johnny Kellogg and daughter-in-law Jean Marie Ayers.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years Jimmie Ayers of Linden, Texas. He is also survived by his brother Munsey Ayers (and wife Mary Joe) of Arvada, Colorado, sisters Anette Kellogg of Hall Summit, Louisiana and Janette Woods (and husband Allan Woods) of Longview, Texas. He is also survived by sons David Ayers (and wife Linda) of Houston, Texas; Daniel Ayers (fiance Rena Bauer) of McKinney, Texas; Jesse Ayers (and wife Monica) of College Station, Texas; Stan Surratt (and wife Julie) of Lindale, Texas; Stacy Surratt (and wife Sherry) of Texarkana, Texas; Scott Surratt (and wife Summer) of Carthage, Texas. Jesse and Jimmie have 14 grandchildren; granddaughters Lyndi Lockett, Jessica Ayers , Morgen Ayers , Tara Ayers , Katie Surratt, Savanna Ayers and Addison Surratt; grandsons Nathaniel Ayers, Ryan Surratt, Dillon Surratt, Travis Ayers, Kyle Ayers, Deven Surratt and Jett Surratt; 7 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and other extended family.

Jesse grew up in Cass County helping his Dad farm and run family businesses. He played basketball for Linden High school where he graduated in 1954 being selected by the faculty as Outstanding Student in his class. He completed his B. A. degree from East Texas Baptist College in August 1957 with the highest grade point average for a ministerial student. In 1957 and 1958 he attended Baylor University and completed the requirements for a Masters Degree in American Literature. In 1961 he received a B.D. degree with honors from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft Worth, Texas and later returned to the Seminary to work on his Doctorate.

Jesse served in Student Pastorate positions at Baptist churches in Cass and Lampasas Counties and later served as the Pastor of churches in Tioga, Texas and Maud, Texas and Ft Worth, Texas from 1955 to 1966. Later he served as Director of Student Aid and Placement at East Baptist College in Marshall, Texas and Assistant Director of Student Counseling Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS.

In 1969 Jesse returned to his hometown of Linden where he served as Director of the County Community Action Agency and later Assistant Executive Director for Northeast Texas Council of Governments. In those positions his primary focus was supporting development in minority communities. Also after returning to Linden Jesse followed his Daddys passion of raising cattle and caring for the family farm along with his brother Munsey and his sons. Later Jesse owned and operated small businesses in Northeast Texas and Colorado.

Since retirement, Jimmie and Jesse spent their days together enjoying their sons and their families. He loved his brother and sisters deeply and enjoyed spending time with them. Jesse had a passion for sports, most of all golf and football. He particularly enjoyed attended High School football games. He was an avid and skilled domino player and most enjoyed playing with his brother, his sons and nephew and he particularly enjoyed teaching the game to his grandchildren. He also loved shopping and holding garage sales. Most of all Jesse and Jimmie enjoyed spending time with each other and they have been inseparable for over 30 years.

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Guestbook

  1. My beautiful cousin Jimmie. Sincere condolences and sympathy to you and your family in this great time of loss. I pray for peace and the Loving Arms of God to surround you with His peace and comforting love! Love you very much! Susan Whitfield Dail & Family

  2. Every time I saw him he would always share what the Boys were doing. Such a seeet man, who loved his family with all his heart. I know he will be missed by many.

  3. I did not know Mr. Ayers, but his mother Florine and my grandmother Christine Martin Harris were first cousins. Their mothers were sisters. (Spencers) Sorry for your loss.


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