Bettye Grace Foster Ayers

Bettye Grace Foster Ayers, 95, gained her angel wings on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Bettye was born on June 24, 1929, in Knickerbocker, Texas, to Ernest Eugene Foster and Grace Elaine Daniel Foster. She enjoyed a beautiful childhood growing up on the family farm with her three sisters, where she learned the value of hard work, love, and family.

On July 21, 1948, she married the love of her life, Lansford Earl Ayers, Jr. Together, they shared 60 wonderful years of marriage filled with love, faith, and devotion. Their life together created a lasting legacy that continues to live on through their family.

Bettye lived a full, joyful life, grounded in her deep and unwavering faith. She loved the Lord with all her heart and carried that love into everything she did. She loved her family deeply and unconditionally. She expressed her love through the things she made and the care she gave—knitting cozy house shoes and scarves, sewing with skill and creativity, and filling her home with the comforting aromas of home-cooked meals and baked goods. Her hands were always busy with love.

She worked at Angelo Clinic Association for 23 years, where her dedication, compassion, and warm spirit left a lasting impression on coworkers and patients alike.

Survivors include her son, Earl Wayne “Butch” Ayers and wife Patti; daughter, Judy Gill; and son, Gary Ayers and wife Teresa, all of San Angelo. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren—with another blessing on the way.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents; her beloved husband; her three sisters, Marjorie Elaine Emfinger, Ethel Ernestine King, and Alice Jeanne Sauers; her daughter and son-in-law, Connie and David Fondersmith; and her son-in-law, Bill Gill.

The graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 23rd, at Knickerbocker Community Cemetery in Knickerbocker, Texas. Honoring her memory as pallbearers will be her grandsons: Austin Ayers, Tony Ayers, Ryan Fondersmith, Chuck Usery, Sterling Gill, and Will Gill.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Bettye. The family is deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support during this time. Bettye’s legacy of faith, kindness, and love will remain in our hearts forever.