Charldine "Charlie" Kay Ayers

Bartow, Florida - Our beloved Charldine Kay Ayers, who enjoyed being called “Charlie”, peacefully passed away at the age of 85 on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in the ICU unit at Winter Haven Hospital. Our “Salt Creek Queen”, whose passion was horses, her family, her friends, and her pets, was born February 26, 1938 in Minneapolis, Kansas to William Ellsworth Delcamp and his Bride, Alma Ruth Delcamp. Her childhood was magical, growing up on the family farm and open countryside located in the Salt Creek Watershed District. Charldine’s elementary education gave her the opportunity to do what she loved the most, which was ride horses. She could ride her pony to the one room country school staining her fingers from the fruit of the Mulberry bushes which were plentiful along the way traveling less than a mile from their farm home. Our young equestrian teenager continued to work with her folks on the farm, during summers, graduating Minneapolis High School in 1956. “Charlie” graduated as a talented student, singer, trumpet player, and baton twirler for the marching band. She was the community swimming pool lifeguard when she met the man that she would marry. Her marriage to James W. Ayers, on October 14, 1956, was her favorite day of the year to celebrate besides Christmas. Charldine’s favorite color has always been blue. Some of her favorite things were to fish and was getting her tiny size 5 feet jive dancing with her husband, Jim. One of her many favorite singers was Wayne Newton. She continued working the family farm, raising her family, and being involved with the Ottawa County Saddle Club, 4-H Club, and using her musical talent to direct choirs in the church. She also became the friendly face, for years, of El Dorado Manufacturing Company located in Minneapolis Kansas, as their front desk receptionist and professional PBX Operator. “Charlie” and Jim moved to Bartow, from the midwest, in 1985. She attended First United Methodist Church of Bartow and was choir director and volunteer at Alturas Methodist Church. “Charlie’s” consummate farmgirl green thumb led her to enjoy many years with the Bartow Garden Club. Charldine was preceded in death by her Beloved Husband, Jim Ayers, on October 14, 2019, which was their 63rd Anniversary and preceded in death by her eldest Grandson, Mark James Piburn, on Valentines weekend 2014. She is survived by her Son, Jerry Ayers, of Minneapolis Kansas; her Daughter, Judi Piburn and husband, Mark, of Lakeland Florida; and her Son, David Ayers and wife, Jackie, of Fort Meade, Florida. She is also survived by her Granddaughter, Marci Piburn Miller of Denver Colorado and “Charlie’s” Great Grandchildren; Brooke Piburn, Cordelia Miller, Shore Miller, and Ev Miller. “Charlie’s” Grandson, Leighton Ayers and his wife, Jazmine, of Dighton, Kansas and “Charlie’s” Great Grandchildren; Knox Ayers and Stella Ayers. Interment will be held at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. The Celebration of "Charlie's" Life service will be at 5:00 pm Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Oak Hammock Retirement Community Clubhouse, 2455 US Hwy 17 South in Bartow, FL. Following the service there will be a Pot Luck Supper, please wear any shade of blue, in honor of Charldine and bring your favorite pot luck food item to share at our special remembrance gathering. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances for Charldine Kay Ayers be made in the form of contributions to: Minneapolis Jr/Sr High School, 602 Woodland Avenue / Minneapolis, KS 67467 / PH (785) 392-2113. Please earmark checks for MJSHS Band Department or MJSHS Music Department in honor of Charldine (Delcamp) Ayers. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com