Lula Naff Ayers

Lula Alma Naff Ayers, age 92, of Rocky Mount, Virginia, quietly slipped away to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Lula was born on July 26, 1918 in Bent Mountain, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Albert and Alma C. Naff; her husbands, Jesse Bowman Webster, Quincy Bowman Montgomery, and Samuel Ayers. She is survived by her children, Alma Sue Webster Sparks and husband Marvin, Jesse Albert Webster, Sr. and wife Louise, Jennie Lou Montgomery Waering and husband Tom; step-children, Emily Ayers Gray and husband Bill, and Mary Rose Ayers Horton and husband Barry. Also surviving are grandchildren, Randy Sparks, Tim Sparks and wife Amy, Erin Webster Garrett and husband Walker, Jesse A. Webster, Jr. and wife Lindsay, Thomas Webster, Lindsey Brand, Matthew Brand, and Michael Waering; step-grandchildren, Kathy Gray and Neal Horton. Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren, Holly and Ashley Sparks, Jason and Dylan Sparks, Bo and Abby Garrett, Jesse Bagby and Brooks Webster; four step-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was also a special second mother to Christa White and husband Mark. Lula graduated as Valedictorian from Bent Mountain High School. She was a bookkeeping graduate of National Business College in Roanoke. She loved working long, hard hours on the family farm and orchard in the Monte Vista Community of Franklin County. She later worked as the credit manager of Halmode Apparel in Roanoke. She was a member of Monte Vista Church of the Brethren for 50 years where she taught Sunday School and was very active in the life of the church. She was the secretary of Women’s Work for two years, and president for four years for the Southern District of Virginia of the Church of the Brethren. She moved to Rocky Mount in 1985 and became an active member of Rocky Mount Baptist Church. Lula was a loving, caring and giving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her love and caring also extended to many other relatives and friends. She was a caregiver to her parents, her uncle, her in-laws and to each of her husbands. She reached out to help others who were less fortunate. She was widely known as a wonderful seamstress, quilter, cook and baker. She was truly a classy southern lady. Lula was greatly loved by her family and friends and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Funeral services will be conducted from Rocky Mount Baptist Church 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011 with Pastor Jeffrey Robinson and Rev. Robert Montgomery officiating. Interment will follow in Monte Vista Church of the Brethren Cemetery. Her family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2011 at Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to Monte Vista Church of the Brethren or Rocky Mount Baptist Church.