Nyles Ayers

AYERS, NYLES CONWAY, age 82. Born on the 25th of July 1930 in Mt. Airy, Surry County, North Carolina to Euell Sinclair and Margie Stanley Ayers. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother James Randolph Ayers. He is survived by his wife Cynthia (Cindy) Young. He is also survived by brother Perry Ayers and wife Fanny of San Francisco CA, sons Timothy and wife Kathleen Ayers of High Point North Carolina, David and wife Rebecca Ayers of Memphis, and Margie Ayers and husband Anthony Biondo of Grayslake Illinois. He also has five step-children - Kathleen, Daniel, David, Steven, and Gregory Banas. Grandchildren: Anna, Alyssa and Julia Ayers of Memphis, Hope Hudgins of Grayslake, IL, Connor and Leah Ayers of High Point NC. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Nyles retired in 1988 after 15 years being the first president of the Tennessee Council of Private Colleges. He lobbied Tennessee Legislature to establish the Tennessee Scholarship Program for students. After retirement he established Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc. where he was the owner for 20 years. Prior to coming to Tennessee he was Vice-President of Student Services at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He also served as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Mac Murray in Jacksonville Illinois. Beginning in 1959, he was employed in admissions and financial aid at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. While he was a student at Columbia College, he became an All-American Fencer with many trophies and awards. After he graduated Columbia College in New York City, he was employed by the Admission Office there. He received his Master’s Degree from Case Western Reserve University while employed there and an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Wesleyn College in Tennessee in 1974. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. He was graduated from Mt. Airy High School in North Carolina in 1948. A special thanks to all the staff at Avalon Alive Hospice. A Celebration of Mr. Ayer’s life will be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, September 17, 2012 with visitation one hour prior at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or charity of your choice.