Ola Ruth Ayers

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in Asbury United Methodist Church for Ola Ruth Ayers, 63, who passed away on April 14, 2024. Reverend Susan Ferguson, Associate pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church, will conduct the funeral services. Ola Ruth Wright was born on January 1, 1961, the daughter of the late Jesse Franklin Wright and Jimmie Nell Walker Wright. Born and raised in Lafayette, she attended L. J. Alleman Middle School, Acadiana High School, and U.S.L. After receiving her B.A. degree in business, Ola took an interest in communication using sign language. She went on to learn this skill on a professional level and taught sign to deaf children at L. J. Alleman and Edgar Martin schools. After helping children overcome their hearing impairment for twenty years, she became troubled with the onset of a discomforting, relatively rare light sensitivity disorder called “Irlens Syndrome” that forced her early retirement. Her sensitivity to bright lights and the associated burning sensation in the back of her head burdened her daily. If you visited Ola at her house, you might want to watch your step since the lights were usually turned off. Outdoors on a sunny day you can be certain she was wearing a sun visor and strong dark glasses to minimize the discomfort. Ola was an avid reader. Another of her favorite hobbies was watching and collecting old classic films from the 40s, 50s, 60s. She had a large DVD and CD collection, primarily consisting of the old films, big band hits as well as popular hits by singing stars from the same time span. Ola was particularly fond of her pets and was an avid animal advocate all her life. She volunteered working at animal control, fostered pets and aided their adoption in transitioning them to their new owners. Ola so loved pets that despite the discomfort caused by being outside in bright light, she was not to be denied walking her dogs and chatting with other owners at the dog park near Ovey Comeaux High School on Bluebird Drive. Ola also enjoyed playing pickleball with local enthusiasts at Thomas Park. She liked playing the sport, readily interacting with teammates and new acquaintances. Ola married John Ayers in June 1981 in Lafayette. They shared many happy years together before separating and John’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2017. Ola is survived by her brother, Evan Harrison Wright, sister Holly Jean Wright Samson, nephews Daniel Gray, and David Gray with his wife Ashley K. Gray, their son Matthew Gray and daughter Alora Gray. Ola’s first cousins include: Prentice Walker, his wife Debbie Walker and their three children; Mary Helen Helmer, Angela Helmer, Catherine Helmer; Tony Brooks, and Karen Brooks. Ola was raised to know the Lord early in life, attending Asbury United Methodist Church weekly with her family. She practiced her Christian faith throughout her life and shared all her love and talents with the students she schooled. God took her home on April 14, 2024 and we feel confident she is now wrapped in his glorious arms. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Asbury United Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 10:30 AM until the time of service. The family invites guests to join them for a reception in the Fellowship Hall from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Personal condolences may be sent to the Ayers family at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com Ola Ruth Ayers and her family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. April 2024

Ola Ruth Ayers

January 1, 1961 - April 14, 2024