Helen Marie Ayres

Helen Allen Ayres passed away Monday, August 4, 2014 at Medical Center Hospital. She was born July 18th, 1933 near Streetman, Freestone County, Texas. The third daughter of Barney P. and Lois Miller Allen. She graduated Odessa High School and married her high school sweetheart, Frank 'Bud” Ayres, in 1950. She lost her husband of sixty-three years in December, 2013. Helen worked all her life as a dedicated homemaker, and supported her husband's career working as his bookkeeper. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Friendship Chapter #1008 at the McFarland Lodge of Odessa. She became an expert seamstress and tailor, and collaborated with her daughter, Susan, in a cake baking-decorating business of her own. Helen was a beautiful, sweet person, refreshingly genuine and modest, with a melodic laugh. She was the gentle, selfless mother of four children, and significantly contributed to the rearing of several of her grandchildren.

Helen is survived by one sister: Bonnie Harrison of Odessa; sister-in-law, Lynn Ayres Long and husband, Aubrey of Lubbock; two sons: Michael Ayres and wife, Donna; and David Dee Ayres; two daughters: Molly Ayres Floyd and husband, Buddy Floyd; and Susan Ayres; all of Odessa; and their families which include six grandchildren: Sandra Ayres Thomas of Allen; Macon Ayres of Valley Center, California; Rusti Floyd Ikeler of Carrollton; Mason Floyd of Odessa; Adam Ayres of Austin; and Ben Pummill of Odessa, and their families; ten great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two nieces and two nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 4:00 pm, Friday, August 8, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.