Margaret Lee Ayers, age 96, of Lavonia, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at her home.

She was proud to be the oldest person in Lavonia to be born in Lavonia. Born May 25, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Fred E. & Odis Shirley Lee. Margaret began her career at Northeast Georgia Bank in 1944, after graduating from Lavonia High School. For more than 79 years, she represented "the Bank", as she affectionately referred to it, well through her community activism. She was a member of the Lavonia First Baptist Church.

Margaret served as the historian for the City of Lavonia and served as a member of the board of directors of the Lavonia Housing Authority and the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity. She was a charter member of the Lavonia Pilot Club and was a member of the Lavonia Hospital Authority, the Lavonia Historic Preservation Commission, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Lavonia Lions Club, the Friends of the Lavonia Library, Lavonia Woman's Club,Franklin County Historical Society, and Lavonia & Franklin County Chambers of Commerce.

She is survived by her daughter: Stephanie Elizabeth Ayers of Greenville, SC; sister-in-law: Ernestine Lee; niece: Christy Bivens; great-nephew: Dustin Bivens; several cousins; and many friends.; In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Herman Poole Ayers; brother: William Freddie Lee; and sister: Shirley Jean Lee.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Lavonia First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Larry Finger, Rev. Dr. Hugh Hendrickson, and Rev. Chris Chitwood officiating. She will be laid to rest in Lavonia City – Burgess Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Flowers are optional or memorials may be made to the Lavonia First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 47, Lavonia, GA 30553 or the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter, 870 Bear Creek Road, Lavonia, GA 30553.

Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest register please visit stricklandfh.com.