RICHMOND, June 18 – Major (Retired) James C. Ayres died Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at McGuire Veteran's Hospital, Richmond. He was born August 19, 1928 to the late David and Gracie Ayres of Dillwyn.

He dedicated his life at an early age to Christ. He joined the Chief Cornerstone Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and deacon. He received his education at the Buckingham County Training School; Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with a minor in Chemistry from Virginia State College; and a Master's of Science degree in Agronomy and Plant Physiology from the University of Maryland. Upon completion of the ROTC program at Virginia State College, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He was also a graduate of the United States Army Officer Candidate School, Ft. Lee, Petersburg.

He leaves a devoted wife, Ruth H. Ayres of Dillwyn; two daughters, Caroline P. Ayres-Brown of Hockessin, DE and Deborah E. Ayres-Harding of Newark, DE; a son, Keith M. Ayres of Dillwyn; two sons-in-law, Roland Brown of Hockessin, DE and R. Greg Harding of Newark, DE; a devoted sister, Lillian R. Morton of Dillwyn; brother, Fulton John Ayres Sr. of Baltimore, MD; two sisters-in-law, Mable Ayres of Farmville and Sara Ayres of Baltimore, MD; two grandchildren, Deborah Ayres-Brown and Clifford Ayres-Brown. One son, James C. Ayres Jr., preceded him in death.

Family to receive friends at Reid's Funeral Home, Friday, from 6-8 p.m., and funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Chief Cornerstone Baptist Church, Dillwyn, with interment in the church cemetery.

Reid's Funeral Home, Dillwyn, is in charge of the service.