Elbert Carey Ayres

Elbert Carey Ayres, age 83 of Vale, NC, passed away on March 6, 2026, at his home.

Carey was born on May 14, 1942. He was the son of the late Elbert and Ruth Ayres. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara. He is survived by two sons, David Ayres and wife Jackie, and Benjamin Ayres; a daughter, Michelle Sain and husband Tom, and seven grandchildren, Hanna McKee (husband Granger McKee), Abby Ayres, Lyla Coponen (husband Nick Coponen), Sarah Farrelly (husband Luke Farrelly), Kolbe Ayres, Chloe Ayres, and Cameron Ayres, and two great grandchildren, Cain Coponen and Evelyn Coponen.

His celebration of life will be at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026,at Word of Life Lutheran Church, 5545 West Hwy 27, Vale, with Pastor Todd Wright and Reverend Lewis Smith officiating. The family will be available for visits at Carey’s home from now until Monday at 1:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Word of Life Lutheran Church Building FundP.O. Box 75Vale, NC 28168

Jenkins Funeral Home staff is not involved in the memorial service at the church.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Ayres family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.