Ayers Colley Jr

Ayers Colley Jr. (Jr.) 79 of Richlands, passed away Sunday, October 31, 2021, at Clinch Valley Medical Center after an illness of more than a year. He was born April 9, 1942, in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Ayers Colley and Sallie Johnson Colley. His parents died when he was young, and he was raised by members of his extended family. When he turned 18, he joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany. While in the military, he began writing to his childhood sweetheart, a young lady he met on the school bus, Ms. April Sue Church. Upon returning from the military, he came home and married the young Ms. Church. Newly married, the couple moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where he worked as a truck driver for Wilson Motor Freight. He also continued to serve his country through the Air Force and Army reserves. While in Fort Wayne, he and April had their first child, Kathy. A few years later, their son, Douglas was born. The family returned to their childhood home in 1976 to care for elderly family members. Back in Virginia, he worked for United Coal Company at a prep plant. He then worked at MAC Construction in Vansant as a truck driver until his retirement. He truly loved driving and was happy to be on the road. In the meantime, the Colley’s moved to Richlands where they spent 27 happy years in the Lake Park section of town. In this home, he and his beloved wife welcomed four grandchildren whom they loved dearly. Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and regular visits-for-no-reason brought plenty of smiles and happiness to his face. He loved videoing every event in his grandchildren’s life. Though his life was one of quiet simplicity, he lived a very happy life and experienced it on a very deep level. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Nellie Rife, and Emma Gay Johnson, one brother, Frank Colley, and four other siblings that died in infancy. Ayers Colley, Jr., is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, April Sue Church Colley. He is also survived by his devoted daughter, Kathy Colley-Wright, and husband, Brian. His dedicated son, Douglas Colley, and the special lady in his life, Valorie Yates. Four precious grandchildren: Zoe Elizabeth Wright and Isa Helena Wright as well as Gavin Walters Colley and Ashlyn Ayers Colley. He is also survived by one sister, Mary Lou Taylor of Georgia. His kind, quiet, and compassionate demeanor will forever be remembered by his family and those who knew him. His calm approach to life served as an example to his children and grandchildren. He taught us all that a soft-spoken man is far stronger and hears far more than those who tend to thunder. Funeral services for Mr. Ayers Colley, Jr., will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with the Elders, Jackie Yates, Roger Coleman, and Mark Justus. Interment will follow at the Colley Family Cemetery, Vansant, Virginia. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Military rites will be conducted by The American Veterans Honor Guard Association. A visitation will be held on Tuesday evening at the funeral home beginning at 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a service at 7:00pm. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Richlands, Virginia oversees arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy may do so online at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Ayers Colley Jr

April 9, 1942 - October 31, 2021