Betty Rae (Basey) Ayers

Betty Rae Basey Ayers, 82, was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 14th, 2011. She was born January 2nd, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio and was the only child of Fred and Kitty Mae (Murphy) Basey. She was a resident at New Albany Garden and Care Center in Gahanna, Ohio at the time of her death. As a teenager, Betty moved from Cleveland to Dorset and graduated from Dorset High School as valedictorian of her class. After moving to Springfield, Ohio she married Franklin R. Ayers, Sr. and divorced after thirteen years of marriage. Betty was employed as a domestic worker for many years in the Springfield area. She also worked at the Guidance Center where she counseled and advocated for single mothers in Springfield and throughout Ohio. Betty cherished her work as a Founding Director of the Citizens Opportunity Program (COP). While pursuing a degree from Central State University, Betty became a therapist at Mental Health Services of Clark County. Betty was honored by former Governor Richard Celeste in 1987 as one of Ohio’s top therapist in the field of mental health. She retired from her profession in 1989. Countless Springfield residents still remember her as one of Ohio’s top specialists in the field of mental health and a tireless support system that helped them through difficult times. Betty was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. While at Good Shepherd, she was chairperson of the Women’s Ministry, a member of the Senior Saints Ministry and served on the kitchen staff. She was also a former member of Second Baptist Missionary Church in Springfield Ohio where she served on the Mother’s Club, the Usher Board, homecoming and women’s day committees. She was member of the Urban League Guild and Springfield Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women. As a single mother, she instilled a love of life, faith, education, family and often echoed her favorite community activist, Mary McLeod Bethune’s motto, “I leave you love”, “a thirst for education” and “leave no one behind”. She leaves behind eight children: Harry (Angela) Basey of Boston, Massachusetts; Mark (Stephanie) of Hayward, California; Kareem Shaheed-Ayers of Woodbridge, Virginia; Adrianne (Kenneth) Leonard of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Randy (Carol) of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania; Judy of Madison, Alabama; Timothy of Englewood, Ohio and Melanie of Columbus, Ohio. In addition to her immediate family, she leaves a special cousin, Mary Ann Cummings-Mitchell of Cincinnati, Ohio; 18 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, a special friend, Clarence Dorn, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her aunt, Elizabeth Cummings.