Mary Jo (Ryan) Ayres

MARY JO (RYAN) AYRES, age 99, went peacefully home to be with the Lord on April 9, 2025. She was born and raised in Calera, AL on September 15, 1925.

She was a member of the Calera Baptist Church and worked as an office receptionist at Abex Railroad where she retired.

Jo spent her youth traveling, enjoying summers at her family’s beach house and taking many trips with her late brother A.T., friends, and family. At the age of 97, Jo got her passport and went on a cruise to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Mexico.

Jo was a loving mother to Rhonda. She later became Mimi to two grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. Her days were spent cooking, solving puzzles, and knitting with love. She loved spending time with her family and looked forward to planning meals for every holiday. Mimi was a true matriarch of her family and always displayed what sacrifice and true love was. Her departure creates an irreplaceable absence in the lives of many. The values and love she embodied throughout her century on this earth will continue to live on through her family for generations to come.

She is survived by: Grandson, Shane Jones of Calera; Great Granddaughters: Kayla (Chip) Hartin of Mobile, Meagan Ryan of Jemison, and Brooklyn Owens of Jemison; Great-Great Grandchildren: Alaina, Addison, Jordyn, Jaidyn, and Izabella; Nephew, Richard (Sharman) Ryan; and a host of wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:00pm in Shelby Memory Gardens in Calera, AL with Bro. Tommy Bishop officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service in the Shelby Memory Gardens Chapel of Ellison Memorial Funeral Home in Calera, AL.

Final care and arrangements entrusted to the Ellison Memorial Funeral Home at Shelby Memory Gardens in Calera, AL.

www.EllisonMemorialFuneralHome.com