Ersel Ellington Ayers, passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2005 in Pensacola, Florida at the age of 88. She was born in McDavid, Florida to W. B. And Iner Vickery Sims, October 11, 1916.

Ersel was a member of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church for most of her adult life, and an active member of Myrtle Grove Women's Club for over forty years. Being a grandmother to her three granddaughters gave her such joy, and she took much pride in their accomplishments. The arrival of great-grandchildren just added to that joy. Ersel was a fortunate woman to have had two special men in her life. "Duke" was her first love and husband for fifty five years, and Jim her second love for the last ten years of her life.

She is survived by husband, James Ayers; daughter, Ann Delavan (Bill); granddaughters, Amy Egeli (Stuart) of Jacksonville, FL; Jennifer Engel (Douglas) of Camp Lejeune, NC; and Nancy Clay (Chad) of Washington DC; five great-grandchildren, Allison and Tyler Egeli, and Madelyn, Kyle and Sydney Engel. She is also survived by her sisters, Louverne Griffin and Helen Corley of Pensacola, Carrie Drouin of Connecticut and Etta Mae Ganas of Ohio; brothers, Carlton Sims of Bluff Springs, Douglas Sims of Andalusia and Raymond Sims and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Walter "Duke" Ellington; sister, Vera Jones; brother, Alton Sims; and stepmother, Maggie Sims.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at Myrtle Grove Baptist Church.

Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice or to the charity of your choice.