Betty J. Ayres, 88, of Owensboro, passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky.  She was born on April 1, 1928 in East St. Louis, IL to the late Joseph and Mary Rose Campbell Sanders.  Betty was of the Baptist Faith and worked as a secretary.  She was a veteran of the United States Army, serving her country during World War II.  Betty was a Kentucky Colonel, a member of the Disabled Veterans of America and a former Eastern Star member.   She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Samuel B. Ayres.

Survivors include her 2 daughters, Sherry (Dana) Datres and Brigette Ayres; 2 sons, Jerry (Gail) Ayres and Ricky (Pam) Ayres; 3 grandchildren, Christopher Datres, Michael Datres and Brittany (Mathew) Smith; 2 great grandchildren, Brady and Hunter Smith; sisters, Bonnie Brown and Linda Payne; brother, Kenneth Ray Burk; 2 brothers and 2 sisters on her father’s side of the family; brother in law, Phillip Ayres along with several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Gibson & Son Funeral Home, Hawesville. Burial will be in Serenity Hills, Hawesville with full military honors.  Visitation will be held from 11 am until 2 pm on Saturday at the funeral home.

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