Max Wayne Ayers, 89, of Charleston, Arkansas, stepped into eternity on Wednesday, June 2, 2022, at his home. He was born in Combs, Arkansas, in Madison County to Hiram Henry Ayers and Ethel Bennett Ayers on May 15, 1933.  At age 11 at Vacation Bible School, he made as he described it "the best decision of my life" and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  He graduated from St. Paul High School after some service in the U.S. Army.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a game warden at Fort Polk in Louisiana, Military Police in the Korean War, and other short term assignments through the years around the world. He then served in the Arkansas National Guard in the 142nd Headquarters in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and then the 296th Medical Company, which brought him and his wife Betty and family to Charleston from Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1968. On June 29, 1957, Wayne made the second best decision of his life and married Betty Dutton of Dutton, Arkansas.  In June of this year, they would have celebrated their 65th anniversary.  Along with the 296th Medical Company, he served in Operation Desert Shield at Fort Polk, Louisiana.  After retirement, he enjoyed serving with Betty and the fellowship of friends at the American Legion Post 8.  He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charleston. Wayne served as a longtime rural firefighter and for a time as assistant chief in Charleston.

Wayne was a longtime Boy Scout leader and served on the Round Table for Boy Scouts of America. He also served his community as president of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce and oversaw parking for years for the South Franklin County Fair.  Wayne was a skilled marksman and hunter but only killed one deer as an adult; however, he continued to go hunting and shooting targets with friends to enjoy the fellowship with them and just being out in the outdoors. He taught hunter education and in later years pondered, discussed, and brainstormed with those close to him how we could protect our nation's children at school even in the last week of his life.

One of his favorite pastimes over the last few years was bean bag baseball, where he served on the traveling team with Betty and was known for his home runs at the Charleston Senior Citizens Center.  In the past, he served the center by serving on the regional board for Senior Citizens Centers of Arkansas.

He lived out his faith in Jesus Christ by teaching Sunday school and working alongside Betty with youth, the Young at Heart ministry for Senior Adults, and in missions at their beloved church, First Baptist Church of Charleston.

The great loves of his life were his family and friends, exploring the outdoors of his beloved state, the church, education, travel, and acquiring knowledge through reading and great conversation,  as well as taking care of plants, flowers, and birds in their yard. One of his favorite stories to share, aside from sharing about his family, was buying and reading a dollar book from Sears, Roebuck & Co. about wiring a house and then wiring his family home in Madison County for electricity that passed code.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Burl Dean Ellis of both San Diego, California, and Rogers, Arkansas, Allen Ellis of Harrison, Arkansas, and Alvie Ayers of Huntsville, Arkansas; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Emmet and Emma Dutton of Dutton, Arkansas; brother-in-law, Everett Dutton of Dutton, Arkansas; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bobby and Billie Gibson of Success, Missouri; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Melvin and Christine Dutton of Anaheim, California; brother-in-law, Joe Dutton of Belton, Missouri; sister-in-law, Carolyn Dutton of Success, Missouri; and niece Linda Irvine of both Seligman, Missouri, and St. Louis, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Betty Joyce Dutton Ayers of the home; a son, Everett Wayne Ayers and daughter-in-law Amy Darwin of Eureka, California; a daughter, Deborah Jean Seay of Fort Smith, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Emma Elizabeth Seay and fiancé Dalton Parker of Kansas City, Missouri, Taylor Thomas Young Seay of Rogers, Arkansas, John Michael Seay of Rogers, Arkansas, and Luke Bennet Seay of Pea Ridge, Arkansas; a cousin, Carman Hankins of Madison County; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Arthur and Rheta Dutton of Kansas City, Missouri; sister-in-law, Barbara Dutton of Belton, Missouri; nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 7th at Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with Pastor Artie Hudson officiating. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with military honors, with Pastor Larry Horne and Pastor Artie Hudson. Services are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 6th at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Thomas Seay, John Michael Seay, Luke Seay, Dalton Parker, Jon Core, and Don Russell.

Honorary pallbearers are Bill Cotton, David Thornsberry, Paul McGuyer, Rob Williamson, members of First Baptist Church of Charleston, and members of American Legion Post 8.

Many thanks from the family to close friend, Karen Jones, Greenhurst Rehab, and Mercy Hospice for their care of him over the years. Also, to Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home for their care of the details of the funeral and burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to First Baptist Charleston Building Fund, P.O. Box 297, Charleston, Arkansas, 72933  or American Legion Post 8, 106 South School Street, Charleston, Arkansas, 72933.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com