Mary Sue “Susie” Hoke Ayers, age 66, of 6720 Collierstown Road, Clifton Forge, Virginia died Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia.
Susie was born April 9, 1956, in Clifton Forge to the late Glenn and Hazel Virginia Hastings Hoke. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Averett University and was a Radiological Technician for Virginia Tech with the College of Veterinary Medicine, where she specialized in animal radiography. During her tenure at Virginia Tech, her experience included the radiography of a myriad of animals ranging from household pets to large animals (even tigers), and she even imaged animals that were transported on the space shuttle. Also known as “Bear”, Susie was an avid pet lover and the published author of the instructional book, “Small Animal Positioning”. She was a longtime and very active member of Central Advent Christian Church, where she served as deaconess, Sunday school teacher, choir member, Sunday School Superintendent, and church videographer. She served as her husband Gene’s right hand in all his church work as pastor.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Charlie Dale Hoke.
She is survived by her husband, Reverend Gene Ayers of Clifton Forge; a sister, Erma Lee Hoke Chambers of Colonial Beach; a brother, Robert “Buzzy” Hoke and wife Lisa of Covington; a brother-in-law, T. G. Ayers and wife Deborah of Roanoke; a sister-in-law, Wanda Bartley and husband Larry of Covington; a number of nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Diane Rapp of Waynesboro.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 20, 2022, at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend T. G. Ayers officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Covington. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Nicely Funeral Home.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.
