Mrs. Charlotte Ayers

December 28, 2021 at The Parker Assisted Living Facility in Greenville, S.C.

She had made her home for most of her adult life on North Main Street and then in early retirement she and Elrod moved to Earle Street, always remaining in downtown Greenville to be near Ayers Leather Shop which they founded in 1950.

“Cha”, as she is lovingly nicknamed by her grandchildren, was born to Comas Hoyt and Florence

Rucker Denny on October 22, 1922, over 99 years ago, in Hart County, Georgia. There she graduated

from Hartwell High School before attending Martha Berry College in Rome and the University of

Georgia in Athens, Georgia.

When she returned home to help after the death of her father, she taught fifth grade in Hart County until

after her marriage in 1942 to Elrod, when he returned from the United States Navy during WWII.

They were married for 63 years until his death in 2005. They moved to Greenville in 1950 to

begin Ayers Leather Shop and were in their Poinsett Hotel location for decades. Even during expansion,

the shop always maintained a “downtown” presence. After 71 plus years, Ayers is the oldest downtown-

Greenville based business, now operated by their daughter, Deb, and Payton, the youngest grandson.

Charlotte is survived by their only child, Deborah Ayers Agnew (widow of Kenneth DeanAgnew) and

3 grandchildren, Preston Ayers Agnew (Catherine Balcer Agnew), Brandon Ayers-Agnew Clarke

(Daniel Delain Clarke) and Payton Ayers Agnew. All of the grandchildren were associated with the

Ayers family business prior to entering their adult professions.

Charlotte is also survived by four great granddaughters, Carolina Charlotte, Sawyer Dean, Scout

Forrest and Jonah Gray, children of Brandon and Daniel. Andrew Martin Ayers Agnew, son of Preston

and Catherine is her only great grandson. Also surviving are Charlotte’s younger sister, Marilyn Denny

Martin of Hartwell, Georgia and her heirs. Her brother, John Henry Denny, of Royston, Georgia and

her son-in-law, Kenneth Dean Agnew of Fountain Inn, S.C. predeceased her as well as her

husband and parents.

Charlotte has been a member of Christ Church Episcopal for more than 70 years where she served on

Altar Guild, as an active member of The Women of the Church, as a kitchen volunteer and other

volunteer capacities for 6 decades and accompanied her beloved Elrod on Wednesday mornings

when he lay-read there for morning Eucharist for more than 50 years. On a diocesan level she served

on the board of York Place for children and many other diocesan committees.

Civic responsibility was also a part of her personal outreach. She was a lifelong member of one of the

earliest national women’s civic groups, Soroptomist Club, serving as president and other

leadership roles. Her “claim to fame” there was leading the sale of pecans, their annual fundraising

event, by placing them in Ayers. She readily became known in Greenville as the downtown “Pecan

Lady” and always chuckled when she recalled it! The YWCA of Greenville was also near and dear to

her heart and she served on their board of directors as well. She was an avid bridge player and a part of

many groups over the years. In her later years she said Bridge was what kept her “sharp”.

Funeral Services will be held at Christ Church Episcopal Sanctuary, 10 North Church Street,

Greenville, S.C. on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 2:00P.M. The family will receive friends immediately

afterwards at the McKissick Refectory in the Parish Hall. Interment will be in the Christ Church

Secular Wall on the same property. (Masks are currently required in Christ Church)

Please click the link for the live stream https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86270098313?pwd=MlUzamtOMk9TdGZyMDFSNGJNL1M4Zz09

The family appreciates greatly the care of each of the staff of The Parker for the past several years and,

especially in more recent time, the very personal and kind care of Brookdale Hospice. Memorials may

be made to Brookdale Hospice, Meals on Wheels, Christ Church or the charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Ayers family.