Connie Welford Ayers, 76, of Chesapeake, VA, passed away quietly on March 16, 2024, in the company of his wife and daughter.  Prior to his passing, he was surrounded daily by family and friends and took great comfort in receiving pictures and messages from all his Facebook friends.

Connie was born on April 29, 1947, to Rudolph and Mary Ayers in Norfolk, VA. After Connie graduated from Cox High School in 1967, he joined the Navy from 1968-1972.  He attended the Journeyman’s Apprenticeship for Plumbing and Pipefitting at Norfolk Vocational Center. In 1973, Connie married Kathy Nolen and enjoyed 53 wonderful years of marriage.  They had two children, Nicole Mary Turner and Daniel Marshall Ayers.  He worked as an apprentice for five years in Local #110 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union at various locations around Hampton Roads.  After his union work, he started his own plumbing company, Ayers Plumbing.  His son, Daniel, joined him and learned the trade and later became his business partner until Connie’s retirement in 2015.

Connie was predeceased by his father, Rudolph Ayers; his mother, Mary Ayers and his granddaughter, Danika Brooklyn Ayers.   He is survived by his wife, Kathy Ayers; his children, Nicole (Thomas), Daniel (Ashley) and Deana (Scott); and grandchildren, Alyssa Danielle Ayers, Steven Ray Smith, Madison Joycelyn Smith, Christian Marshall Ayers, Juliet Noelle Ayers, and Ciara Grace Turner; his sister, Cleo Daurio (Ed), and his brothers: Sammy Ayers, David Ayers (Joy), Lindy Ayers (Linda) and Ray Ayers as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Connie was very proud of his time serving as an usher at Harvest Assembly because he had a heart for the Lord.  He also participated in ministry at the House of Blessing food pantry every week during his time with the church.

Connie’s family filled his life and his heart with joy. He was known as ‘Pop’ to his children and grandchildren and spent countless hours telling jokes, playing cards and games, sharing birthday celebrations, and vacationing in the Outer Banks.  He also enjoyed boxing and competing in healthy challenges with his son-in-law Tom.  Many referred to him as the ‘Cookie Man’ because of his love of baking and sharing cookies with clients, friends, and people he met along the way. Over the last 10 years, he has become most known for researching birds, unusual animals, and funny pictures that he shared with family and friends on Facebook.

A visitation will take place Friday, March 22nd from 4:30-7 p.m. at Family Choice Funeral Home, 5401 Indian River Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 23rd at 11:30 a.m. at Harvest Assembly of God, 525 Kempsville Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23320. For those attending our Celebration of Life, he was a casual man who loved red and blue. Please feel free to dress comfortably or wear his favorite colors.