DIANE BARBOUR AYRES
was born November 10, 1953, and departed this life February 7, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr., and Mrs. William Barbour (Lucille). She leaves two daughters, Lauren Britton and Catherine (Cissy) Wilmoth; sonin-law, Wade Wilmoth; a beloved grandchild, Addie; and her husband, William (Bubba) Ayres. Diane attended Hutchison School and graduated from West Memphis High School. She then attended Sullins College. In 1982, Diane joined the First Presbyterian Church of West Memphis and was elected elder in 2007. Diane was loved by all who knew her. She loved her family, her friends and her community. She worked for 14 years at Mid-South Community College in various positions, all the while quietly lending her talents to many civic, charitable and educational organizations.
In 2012, Diane was selected to coordinate the Southern Legislative Conference in Little Rock. She was responsible for planning and executing a conference for 1,200 legislators and their guests from 15 Southern states. As only Diane could do, she pulled it off with such a flair that it is still recognized as one of the most memorable conferences in the 74-year history of the SLC.
To Diane’s family and legion of friends she was forever that caring one, remembering birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions, on many occasions saving her friends from marital reprisals from a forgotten birthday or anniversary. If a friend needed counsel, she was there. If a stranger needed help, she found a solution. She never sought credit nor the limelight. She was quick to hug, quick to forgive and constant in her dedication to her family and her community.
A great cook and hostess, Diane’s home was always the center of activity. There she made friends feel like family and people that were new to her, special. She knew when to send a kind note or make a well-timed phone call to anyone in need of a supportive word during a difficult time. She truly never met a stranger and had a rare ability to connect with all she met. Her wonderful sense of humor and deep loyalty to family and friends will be missed. She was a child of West Memphis who brought out the best in West Memphis. In 2001, Diane served as president of the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce and was selected as West Memphis Citizen of the Year in 2006. She also served as Rotary president, and was tirelessly active on several boards, including Main Street West Memphis, Fidelity National Bank, Arkansas State American Heart Association, The Crittenden Arts Council and others.
Diane was larger than life. Her glorious personality was sunshine to all of us.
Gifts in memory of Diane can be made to the Arthritis Foundation; https://www.arthritis.org/honor-memorial-form or The American Heart Association; https://www2.heart.org/site/SPageNavigator/donatenow_legacy.html&s_src=20U2W1EEMM&sub_src=main_nav_memorial_link.
The family and those closest to Diane will gather on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 1 p.m. in Grace Cemetery, Ripley, Tenn., where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved mother and father. Public viewing will be available Thursday, February 11, 2021, from 10 to 4:30 at Ruebel Funeral Home. For those that cannot attend the service, it will be available online later via www.facebook.com/RFHome and on Ruebel Funeral Home’s YouTube page. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, RuebelFuneralHome.com