JACKSON -- Janice A. Ayres, 70, of Miami, Okla., died Monday, Sept. 21, 1998, at her home, following a lengthy illness.

She was born Feb. 9, 1928, at Neelys Landing, daughter of Denver and Earley Craft Thompson. She and Ralph D. Ayres were married Feb. 18, 1961, in Cape Girardeau.

Ayres moved to Miami in 1951 from Jackson. She had been a waitress at Ben Stanley's Cafe and the Miami Hotel Restaurant. She also was a manager with Tupperware in Joplin 18 years.

She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and Order of Eastern Star in Miami.

Survivors include her husband; a stepdaughter, Vickie Ayres of Oklahoma City, Okla.; two brothers, Pearl and Denzel Thompson of Jackson; three sisters, Eloise Clemons of Miami, Hazel Clippard and Blanch Johnson of Cape Girardeau; four stepgrandchildren; and four great-stepgrandchildren.

Friends may call at Paul Thomas Funeral Home in Miami from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Baptist Church in Miami, with the Revs. Don Varble, Clyde Stilley and Steve Irvin officiating. Burial will be in Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens in Miami.