Jacquetta Ayers

On August 1^st Jacquetta Ayers passed from this life into the waiting arms of her Lord and Savior. A visitation will be August 7, 2023, 5pm-8pm, Callaway Jones Funeral Home, Bryan, TX. A celebration of life will be August 8, 2023, 10am, First Baptist Church Bryan TX., with Pastor Tim Owens, interment service following, College Station Memorial Cemetery, College Station, TX.

Jacquetta was born on April 23,1938 to Loreda Gertrude Hefner (mother), Curtis Hoytt Hefner (father) in Wichita Falls, Texas.  She was the youngest of three children. Billie Jean Hefner Newcomb(sister), Moberly MO. and Curtis Wayne Hefner, Oklahoma City. OK.

Her family moved to Elk City, Oklahoma where she met Ralph.  Ralph and Jacquetta were high school sweethearts since they were 16 years old, they graduated from Elk City High School in 1956. The two of them bonded in holy matrimony in Nov. 2, 1958 and moved to Ft. Worth, TX. She worked for the Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator while he worked for J.C. Penny Company.  She was always helping Ralph at J.C. Penny’s on sale days or inventory time.

They received their first real gift in life with the birth of their daughter Amber, in July of 1959.  They moved to Bryan in 1961. Jacquetta worked in the dry cleaners owned by Ralph’s parents (Walter Lee Ayers & Hazel Thompson Ayers) while Ralph was on active military duty. In 1964 Ralph and Jacquetta opened their own commercial laundry and dry cleaners (Ayers One Hour Cleaners).  Another big day arrived in July of 1969 with the birth of their son Bradley. In 1980, their cleaners sold and moved to Villa Maria Cleaners until they retired after 42 years in the dry-cleaning industry in 2003. Throughout both their careers, both Ralph and Jacquetta were life long partners in whatever projects, community organizations, family events and in business.

During their time since moving to Bryan, Jacquetta used her time to volunteer for many different organizations to help others.  This included Brazos County Agriculture Person of the Year, Secretary and Charter Founder of the Brazos County Youth Livestock Association, Equestrian 4-H Leader and  recognized as the Outstanding Volunteer at the 1985 State Highschool Gymnastics Competition.

She helped with other local organizations and causes, IE. Reading Programs for kids, numerous donations of time and monetary support for high school projects, livestock show activities, helping neighbors and friends.

Over her lifetime, she dedicated her time to helping others.

Some of her fondest memories in Elk City, OK. were football games, band trips, choir contests, rodeo parades, Carman’s store. Study hall, coke parties, rainbow dances, swimming pool, “Dragging Main” and the root beer stand, Elk and Westland Theatres. In Bryan, TX. She loved helping kids, spending time at the lake house, yard work and taking care of those who surrounded her. The best memories of all were spending time with all the family, especially the grand / great grand kids and her precious puppy Sidney.

Jacquetta Anne Ayers was proceeded in death by Curtis Hoytt Hefner (father), Loreda Gertrude Hefner (mother), Curtis Wayne Hefner (brother) and Amber Anne Ayers Portillo (daughter).

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ralph W. Ayers, Bradley W. Ayers (son), daughter-in-law Suzannah Beasley Ayers and son-in-law Chris Portillo (Melissa Portillo).  She also has 6 grandchildren, Heather Gaston (Scott Gaston), Matney Portillo (Patrick Seigler) and Winston Portillo, Alyssa Ayers, Emily Desormeaux, Sarah Desormeaux. Jacquetta had 5 great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Gaston, Hadley Gaston, Levi Gaston, Alexis Ramsey and Trey Seigler.

Jacquetta Ayers was a member of First Baptist Church Bryan, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Urgent Animals of Hearne / Robertson County via Robertson County Vet Clinic, Hearne TX. In memory of Jacquetta Ayers (Gran).

Express condolences @ CallawayJones.com