Mike Ayers, 64, of Lexington died April 22

Mikeal Blair Ayers, 64 of Lexington died Saturday, April 22, 2023, at his home, surrounded by family.

Born Nov. 26, 1958, in Rockbridge County, he was the son of Beverley Petty Ayers and the late Blair Blane “B.B.” Ayers.

Mike loved to work. He spent most of his life running heavy equipment, building roads, installing drain-fields and septic tanks, and hauling stone, since he was a teenager. Mike’s mom and dad started an excavating business when he was about 13 years old. He would many times drive the dump truck to school and was ready to work as soon as school let out. Once he was a little older, he and his brother, Kevin, became co-owners of B.B. Ayers & Sons Excavating. Mike and Kevin continued the business until just recently when Mike retired.

Outside of work, and especially during retirement, Mike enjoyed spending almost every day with his grandchildren. He spent hours with them at his lot in the country, showing them how to fish in the pond, ride the Gator around the property, cut wood to use in the fire, and how to appreciate the land and wildlife around them.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Rebecca Lyle Ayers; children, Jeanna Nicely (Chad), and Chad Mikeal Ayers (Travis); siblings, Dreama Ayers Fox (Tommy), and Kevin Dean Ayers (Pam); and grandchildren, Joshua Ayers, Caroline Nicely, Caleb Nicely.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27, at Harrison Funeral Chapel by the Rev. Horace Douty. Burial will follow at Kerrs Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, where Mike was a church member.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Harrison Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kerrs Creek Baptist Church or your choice of any local fire department.

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.