Levina Belle Ayers, age 94, of Rural Retreat , VA passed away on Friday, December 22, 2017.  She was the daughter of the late Joseph Collis Sleeper Sr. and Beatrice Jeffries Sleeper. Belle was preceded in death by her husbands, Bud Wilson and Avery Newton Ayers, Jr., her brother Joseph C. Sleeper, Jr., sister Bertha S. Anderson, and her step-son Avery N. Ayers, III.

Belle was born in Aberdeen, MD on October 14, 1923 and graduated from Aberdeen High School.  She had a decades-long career as personnel administrator at the Aberdeen Proving Ground.  After retirement, she and husband Avery moved to Rural Retreat, VA, where they raised goats and ran a business dealing in American antiques.  Belle loved her goats and cats, and was known to always take in a stray. She fed the birds daily and loved her farm.

She is survived by step-children, Joan Bond and Nancy Fields, as well as step-grandchildren Jill Mahan Bond, Russell Fields and Scott Mahan. She is also survived by nieces Dianne Salmon, Gail Anderson, MD, Shirley Sleeper, Mary Sala, Barbara Anderson, and Elizabeth Wood and nephews Paul Anderson and Gary Anderson.   She also leaves behind many grand-nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service will be held at a later date.  Donations may be made in Belle's name to The Rural Retreat Depot Foundation, PO Box 843, Rural Retreat, VA 24368.

Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, VA is serving the Ayers family.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at:  www.highlandfuneralservice.com