Diane Elizabeth Ayers Obituary

Diane Elizabeth Ayers, age 81, passed away in Frisco, Texas on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.

Born to Laurence and Vesta Leece on May 20, 1939, in Superior, Nebraska, she lived in Superior, Grand Island and Bloomfield, Nebraska; Manhattan, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas before settling in Frisco, Texas. Trained as a teacher of Home Economics at Kansas State University, she also worked as a Realtor before returning to Kansas State University to achieve her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.  A proud Wildcat, she served as Clinical Director at Family Support Services in Amarillo and directed the clinical training program at Texas Women's University where she greatly enjoyed training many new therapists.  Diane was a member of the Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Over her lifetime, Diane was an educational activist on behalf of gifted children, helped to found and operate several early childhood and after school programs, and led the site acquisition and development of the Family Support Services complex in Amarillo, including the establishment of an early childhood center.  She counseled countless children, youth and families in both Amarillo and Frisco.  An accomplished Bridge player, she played and taught Bridge to many friends over the years, even at her senior complex.  Diane also enjoyed traveling Nebraska as a 4H judge at several county and state fairs.

Diane was a loving Mother and doting Grandmother to her four children and ten grandchildren.  Late last year, she joyfully welcomed her first great grandchild, Joshua Paul.  Spending time with her children and grandchildren was her life's purpose.  Her education and talent only served to inform a natural gift of loving, understanding and nurturing her own children and many of the other children in the communities where she lived.  She encouraged and supported each of us to be more compassionate and understanding parents.

Survivors include her children, Leann Ayers of Philadelphia, PA; Derrick and wife Lynn Young Ayers of New Richmond, OH; Lisa (Ayers) and husband Matthew Hazen of Frisco, TX; and Douglas Ayers of Plano, TX.  Her grandchildren are Dr. Emily (Hazen) and husband Erick Ramirez of Austin, TX; Lilly Hazen of Frisco TX; Trevor Austin of Frisco TX; Lauren Ayers of Philadelphia, PA; Corrine Ayers of Chicago, IL; Caleb and wife Leena Ayers of Frisco, TX; Natasha Ayers of Philadelphia; Jonathan and wife Christina Ayers of Columbus OH; Benjamin Ayers and William Ayers of Cincinnati OH.  She is also survived by former husband, Dr. Jon Rodney Ayers and cousin Dwayne Kleck.

Diane was preceded in death by her sister, Loretta Joan, her parents, Laurence and Vesta Leece and her maternal Aunt Theda and Uncle Ralph Kleck.

Condolences, particularly with stories of Diane, are welcomed by: The Ayers Family at 9863 Santa Fe Trail, Frisco, TX  75033

Graveside Services will be held at: Fairview Cemetery, near Webber Kansas

Time of Service: Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Memorials to: Family Support Services, 7136 I-40 Frontage Rd Park West, Building B, Amarillo, TX 79106

Visitation: From 11:00 am to noon on Saturday at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home

Funeral Home: Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 Phone 402-879-3900