Norma Jean (Barnes) Ayers, 73, of De Soto died April 16, 2019, in Festus. Mrs. Ayers was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, cooking, tending to her yard, and spending time outdoors or with her family. She was born Dec. 12, 1945, in Redford. She was preceded in death by her husband: Mack Ayers
She is survived by five daughters: Tina (Mike) Bowen of De Soto, Sheila (Mike Jennings) Kimble of De Soto, Marilyn (Cecil) Mc Reynolds of Troy, Barbara (Alan) Keefe of De Soto and Darlene (Glen) O’Hara of De Soto; two brothers: Carl Barnes of Dudley and Gerald Barnes of Redford; two sisters: Normalene Chilton of Ellington and Rita Faye Leadbetter of Cahokia, Ill.; 12 grandchildren: Carla, Kevin, Steven, Shawn, Ashley, James, Lukas, Matthew, Abigayle, MacKenzie, John and Glen Jr.; seven great-grandchildren: Sierra, Savannah, Dani Lynn, Bentley, Gracie Mae, Novalee and Scarlett; and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by two brothers: Curtis, Michael “Buck” and Larry Barnes; and three sisters: Wilma Smith, Sylvia Brunk and Freda Barnes.
A memorial gathering is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Robert D. Brown Funeral Home, 103 Fourth St., in Hillsboro. At 11 a.m., mourners will leave in procession for Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Louis for a committal service. Memorials may be made to the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert D. Brown Funeral Home.