Margaret Ayers Honored by State
Margaret Ayers holds a copy of Resolution 961 which Rep Powell (L) will submit to the Georgia Legislature in January.
Margaret Ayers has long been a fixture in the Lavonia Community, known for her knowledge of local history and her volunteer work.
Now she is being honored by the State of Georgia.
At last week’s annual Margaret Ayers Award for Civic Health Event, Ayers was recognized by State Representative Alan Powell for her life’s work.
Powell said House Resolution 961 recognizes Ayers for her recent Community Bankers Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
“When I first met Margaret, she was the First Lady of Lavonia and she is still the First Lady of Lavonia and will always be,” Powell said.
She was married to Herman Ayers, who served as the mayor of Lavonia from 1966 – 1973 and again from 1976 – 1989.
Ayers has been employed with Northeast Georgia Bank in Lavonia since she graduated from high school in the early 1940s. Now in her 80’s, Ayers continues to work at the bank where she is a vice-president.
“I’m 86 and I’ve been there 69 years,” Ayers said Monday. “My goal is to make it to 75 years there.”
In addition to her full-time job at the bank, Ayers is involved in so many activities and on so many boards, most people half her age would not be able to keep up.
Ayers is the author and co-author of two books on the history of Lavonia, and serves on a number ofl boards, including the Ty Cobb Hospital Authority Board, DFACs, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Franklin County Friends of the Library, Circle of Hope, Georgia Mountains Economic Development Commission, and Habitat for Humanity.
Ayers is a member of the Lavonia Lions Club, and was its first female member. And she also serves as secretary for her Sunday School class at Lavonia First Baptist Church.
“I have no intention of slowing down,” Ayers said. “Staying active and working is what keeps me going.”
In presenting Ayers with a copy of the House Resolution, Powell praised Ayers for her tireless service to her community and her dedication to promoting the town.
“Nobody promotes Lavonia like Margaret Ayers,” Powell said. “No one is as dedicated as she is.”
House Resolution 961 honoring Ayers will be submitted to the State House of Representatives for a vote at their next legislative session in January.