On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Carol Sue Ayer, 81, beloved “Mother” and “Nana” passed away at home with her four daughters by her side under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky.
She was born September 26, 1941, in Grandview, to Harold and Pauline Schroeder.
Carol graduated from Rockport High School in 1959 ranking 6th in her class. She continued her education at Brescia University while pursuing a degree in Business. She met her sweetheart, Garry Ayer, who passed April 22, 2022, while carpooling to Brescia University on his way to KWC. By December 17, 1961 they were married in a beautiful Christmas Ceremony that lasted for 60 years.
Carol began both her piano and secretarial careers during high school and continued through college. After she married she was the secretary at WKG until she began her family, but her career as pianist and substitute organist continued. She babysat multiple children in her home for many years making a positive impact on each child’s life. Eventually she began her work outside the home as secretary at OCTC and then came the start of her career as secretary at Zion United Church of Christ which she adored, retiring in 2016. She cherished every child and person she met along the way. But caring for her four girls was her greatest profession. She worked for them until she took her last breath.
Carol found the “perfect church”, Woodlawn United Methodist, joined and became pianist and substitute organist. She played every Sunday, rain or shine, for 50 years, retiring in 2016. Other roles at Woodlawn included Youth Leader, Director of the Puppet Ministry and the Children’s Choir. But Children’s plays and musicals were her most memorable to all and dear to her heart, again touching countless lives. Woodlawn was her home away from home.
Carol’s girls were her hobbies even as they became adults. They were involved in numerous activities and she never said no to a request to try something new. Their hobbies were influenced by her artistic talents. She was completely devoted to them, they were her life.
After having four daughters, she was blessed with three handsome grandsons, all with curly hair like her girls. They also inherited their “sweet hearts” from their “sweet Nana” and she was crazy about them. She will be loving and guiding them for the rest of their lives. She inherited three special step-grandchildren who she loved dearly. Her selflessness, kindness, compassion and devotion for her family was unmatched. All who crossed her path were the better for it.
In addition to her parents and husband, Carol was preceded in death by her brother, Harold “Sonny” Schroeder.
She is survived by her children, Michelle Ayer, Jennifer Hodges and her husband, Jeff; Holly Bondi and her husband, Chad; Ashley Ayer-Martin and her husband, Justin; grandchildren, Ryan Hodges, Hayden Bondi and Ethan Bondi; step-grandchildren, Josie Martin, Kamryn Dortch and Dalton Boarman; sisters, Linda Holder and husband, Bob; and Bonnie Langford; aunt, Lou Harmon; and sister-in-law, Teresa Schroeder.
Services are 12 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2022, at Boultinghouse Funeral Home in Rockport, with Brother Randy Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery.
Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Thursday, October 6, and from 11 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Woodlawn United Methodist Church, Alzheimer’s Association, or American Diabetes Association.
Friends may leave a condolence for the family at www.BoultinghouseFuneralHome.com.
