Norma E. Downing Ayers, 92, passed away January 28, 2025 at the Sullivan County Memorial Hospital in Milan, Missouri. She was born in Gascoyne, North Dakota on a farm homesteaded by her grandparents on September 18, 1932. Norma was the only child of Chester L. and Lula Lloyd Downing. When she was three, her family moved to LaPlata, Missouri where she attended school and graduated with the LaPlata High School class of 1950. In 1951 she completed her training at Chillicothe Business College and became employed with Long-Bell Lumber Company in downtown Kansas City for four years. On September 20, 1952 in Macon, Missouri she was united in marriage to William J. (Bill) Ayers, and they spent 61 happy years together. To this union three children were born—Douglas, Kristy and Rick. In 1955 Bill and Norma purchased a canned milk route and left Kansas City for Kirksville. In 1958 they moved to Bill’s hometown of Green City where they reared their family. In 1967 they purchased a farm northwest of Green City and raised Angus cattle and horses of all kinds. She was employed by Sullivan County Farm Bureau as county office secretary for 17 years.
Norma was very involved in the Presbyterian Church where she served as elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher, president of the United Presbyterian Women and clerk of the session. She and Bill were charter members of the Green City Saddle Club and did not miss a Green City horse show for over 50 years. They were in charge of the food stand and enjoyed watching their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren show their horses. In 1999 they were inducted into the Green Hills Horse Show Circuit Hall of Fame. Norma was also a charter member of the Green City Lady Lions and served in many officer positions. She was a member of the Green City Chamber of Commerce and worked for many years managing the food stand for the Fourth of July celebration. Norma was devoted to her church and being a wife and mother. She so enjoyed her grandchildren. She loved raising flowers, gardening, cooking, sewing and quilting. Norma and Bill believed they had been richly blessed with a wonderful family, many friends and a great community.
Norma is survived by her children Doug and wife Barb of Danville, Kentucky, Kristy and her husband Dr. Larry Letner of Harris, Missouri and Rick and wife Jonna of Green City, Missouri. Her grandchildren are Grant and Kate Neckermann, Kathleen Ayers, Hannah and Dr. Killen Day, Dr. Lindsay and Parker Rice, Will and Ashton Letner, Dr. Jake and Jaime Letner, Natalie and Bryce Fifer and Zachary Ayers. Her ten great grandchildren are Ford and Grace Neckermann, Lily and Colin Rice, Liam, Joel, Emmy and Annie Letner, Wyatt and Jessa Letner. She is also survived by a sister-in-law Willadean Lawrence, four nieces and a nephew. Norma was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Bill.
Services for Norma will be held 2:00 PM, Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Green City Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at the Green City Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled for 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home in Green City.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to the Green City Presbyterian Church, Green City Saddle Club or Green City Cemetery.