Rev. Howard Munro Ayars, 95, of Lexington went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Brookstone Retirement Center.

Howard was born July 17, 1930 to the late Albert Ayars and Lavinia Munro Ayars in Bridgeton, NJ. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1948- 1952 during the Korean War. Howard moved his family to Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of 35 because he had a call to preach. He received a Bachelor’s of Theology Degree with honors from Gods Bible School & College in 1970. He faithfully served the Lord and went on to pastor churches in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He was a successful pastor for 34 years before retiring due to small strokes that affected his speech. He was an ordained Elder of Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church

In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Jean Ellen Johnson Ayars; a grandson, Randy Loper; and a son-in-law, George Loper; his siblings, Rose, Charles, Elizabeth, Sophie, Fred and Herbert.

Surviving are his two sons, Stephen Ayars and wife Theresa of FL, Brian Ayars and wife Becky of Lexington, NC; three daughters, Diana Loper of Franklin, OH, Deborah Davis and husband Thomas of Lexington, NC, Beverly Cope and husband Daniel of Salem, WV; seventeen grandchildren, forty-seven great-grandchildren; and seventeen great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Thomasville with Rev. Dr. Robert Loper and Rev. Dr. Rodney Loper officiating. Burial will follow at Faith Community Chapel in Thomasville. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to any family member to help with final expenses.