Thelma Lee Ayers, 81, of Gladwyne, PA, died of uterine cancer Monday October 25th 2021 at
her home, attended by her husband, Philip E. Franks and her daughter Rhonda Ayers-Hanley.

She is survived by many family members: her three adult children: Roger Ayers and Byron
Ayers, both of Denton, TX, and her daughter, Rhonda Ayers-Hanley, of Canyon, TX and Ruidoso,
NM and her partner Marvin Sterrett; four grandchildren, Alyssa Hanley of Kerrville, TX, Allen
Hanley of Ruidoso, NM; Kelly Ayers-Spry and husband Robert Spry, and Kacy Ayers-Ziegler and
husband Mark Ziegler, all of Denton, TX; and four great grandchildren: Kyle Ziegler, Hailey
Ziegler, Cora Ziegler and Samuel Spry, all of Denton, TX; Philip's adult children and their
children, Jennifer Franks-Baker and her husband Chuck Baker of Malvern, PA; Jason Franks and
wife Tracy Charters-Franks of Irvington, NY; and Philip's grandchildren, Ava Franks, Finn Franks
and Kelly Franks of Irvington, NY; and Michael Baker and Ryan Baker of Malvern, PA.

She is also survived by her siblings: sister, Ella Lee Storms and her husband Harvey (Stormy)
Storms of Capitan, NM; brother, Edward Lee and his wife Linda of El Paso, TX; sister Elaine Lee Wallen and her husband, Steve Wallen of Carlsbad, NM; and sister, Cheryl (Shay) Lee-Patterson
and her husband Donnie Patterson of Denton, TX.

In addition, she is survived by a number of great nieces and nephews residing in Denton, El
Paso, TX, and Capitan, NM along with numerous cousins scattered throughout Texas,
Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Utah and California.

Thelma loved her family. She spent hours on the phone with various members and when
together she had a big smile and warm hugs for everyone, but especially for the grandchildren
and great grandchildren. Her pride in them was irrepressible.

Born and raised in Roswell, NM, Thelma and Philip were high school classmates who
reconnected at their 50th year high school reunion. By 2017 both had lost their spouses, and
their friendship grew quickly, whereupon Thelma moved to Gladwyne in 2018, welcomed and
enthusiastically embraced by Philip's children and grandchildren. The couple was married on
Valentine's Day 2020, by Pastor Scott Wendal, at the Valley Forge Baptist Church in Collegeville,
Upper Providence Township, PA.

Thelma was a blond; high-energy, adventurous, and vivacious woman who enjoyed everyone
she met, providing each with a warm Texas-friendly hug. Thelma lived most of her life in the
Dallas area. During her three decades of residency in Denton, TX she earned a Bachelor of
Science degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude, in May 2001, from the Texas Woman's
University in Denton, TX.

She even had a side gig as a background actor on the TV series "Dallas"; appearing with Larry
Hagman and other members of the cast in several episodes. Still maintaining her interest in
acting, she was actively pursuing acting opportunities in the Philadelphia area.
She was always entertaining at her Denton, TX home; hosting family gatherings on holidays and
special events with her grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking everything for these events,
especially anything sweet.

During the years of her residency in Denton she was a volunteer at the local hospital, an activity
which she continued at the Bryn Mawr Hospital near her home in Gladwyne, PA. She was an
avid walker and jogger until knee pains curtailed her running. Nevertheless, she remained an
energetic and fast walker, a fact to which her husband can attest.

Always looking for the next adventure, Thelma decided to celebrate her 80th birthday by
jumping from a perfectly good airplane to experience the thrill of skydiving. Upon surviving her
first sky diving adventure she was asked if she was ready to do it again, to which she responded
with gusto, " NOT IN THIS LIFETIME". Still looking for the next adventure, Thelma and her
husband made a recent trip to Niagara Falls, NY and in jest, discussed going over the falls in a
barrel to celebrate their 82nd birthdays. At the Falls Visitor Center there were photos of a
woman who had survived such an adventure more than 100 years ago, who after being pulled
from her barrel, was photographed, badly bruised, and bloodied from her trip. That imagery put
a damper (pun intended) on that idea.

Thelma was a devoted Christian with a strong Pentecostal background focused on keeping up
on her daily devotions. She could easily quote Bible scripture and play the piano and sing the
traditional hymns of worship, and regularly attended worship services, albeit remotely for the
last 18 months.

Thelma was predeceased by her parents Robert and Flora Lee; daughter-in-law, Janette Ayers,
and 3rd husband Alan Guendler.

Thelma was cremated and her ashes will be returned to Roswell, NM. A memorial service is
planned for Wednesday November 24th 2021 at 2:00 pm at the Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home,
located at 2609 South Main Street, Roswell, NM 88203. The interment of her ashes at South Park
Cemetery in Roswell, NM will follow immediately after her memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to her favorite charity: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
a not-for-profit, section 501 (c)(3) corporation., 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105