Obituary of Herman Marion Ayers, Jr.

Herman Marion Ayers, 65, of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away April 7, 2024 at home. He was born on December 23, 1958 in Columbia, South Carolina to Herman Marion Ayers, Sr. and Lula Rea Ayers.

Herman went by Marion and was known to many as “Lucky”. He was a member of the Cayce Lodge 384 AFM in Cayce, SC and became a Master Mason on March 24, 2008 where he served time as a Steward and Chaplain. “Lucky” became a Shriner at Jamil Temple in Columbia, SC in December of 2014 where he was a member of the Jokers unit and served as a Provost guard. He was a proud and active founding member of the Wayfarers Masonic Riders Association, the chapter was formed in March of 2014.

Marion graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School class of 1977 and was a member of the ROTC, and on Color Guard. In 1983, he became a police officer for the Cayce Police Department and was recognized in the newspaper for refining his motorcycle skills at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. He also spent many years as a truck driver where he was able to travel across the United States doing what he loved until being involved in an accident that caused him to become disabled. Still he didn’t put the motorcycle down for good and continued to ride when possible.

Marion was involved in many things that brought him joy but above it all he loved his girls. He was looking forward to his first great grandchild being born in a few weeks and his daughter Brooke’s wedding. His presence will be deeply missed.

Herman  is survived by his daughters Michelle Lynn Barton, husband Bryan Barton and Brooke Elisabeth Ayers, fiancé Stephen Quick; sister Elise Lama Miller;  granddaughters Tatum Olivia Koucky and Skyler Nicole Koucky.

He was preceded in death by father Herman Marion Ayers, Sr., mother Lula Rea Ayers, and brother William Neal Yonce.

The family will receive friends at Thompson Funeral Home located at 4720 Augusta Rd. Lexington, SC 29073 from 1pm to 2 pm on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Funeral services will follow at 2 pm with Pastor David Spears officiating. Interment will be at Southland Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the families GoFundMe account https://gofund.me/94db04c6 Marion “Lucky” Ayers, memorial fund to cover immediate funeral costs, and the remainder will be distributed to his local Masonic lodge.