Ayres

JoAnn Moss Ayres (May 21, 1944 - Oct. 11, 2025) lived life with open arms and easy laughter. She was an adventurer who took the road less traveled and delighted in learning something new every day. She loved sharing what she discovered – whether a book, an article, an idea, a recipe, or a treasure from her own closet. JoAnn loved artichokes, creative arts, her dog Speedy, her cat Emma, and her farm.

JoAnn loved her little farm – the birds, the deer, her herbs, and her gardens bursting with cherry tomatoes. She loved music, especially country western songs, and could unprompted sing every one of them. She loved her church St. James Episcopal Church. And felt truly beloved.

JoAnn also found deep joy and purpose in her community at the Texas Quilt Museum. She adored the quilters and their world, throwing herself completely into learning, helping, and connecting. In the Rotary Club, she gave the same devotion – working tirelessly on scholarships for students, supporting international projects, welcoming new members, and serving proudly as both president and vice president. She brought distinction to every role through her creativity and commitment.

JoAnn made friends easily and cared deeply for children, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of whom she was endlessly proud. She celebrated their accomplishments and found joy in their journeys.

JoAnn was strong and outspoken when faced with challenges. She knew that when life placed an obstacle in your path you went through it with good humor and grit, and not around it. She inspired this powerful blend of tenacity and grace in others.

As a real estate broker, she built lifelong friendships with her clients, many of whom stayed in touch until the end of her life. She poured her heart into the Shakespeare at Windale program – especially Camp Shakespeare, which she helped create with her husband Jim. Her creativity and community spirit shaped the program from the start, particularly through her efforts to include local students from Fayette County.

When she was born, a star danced. That was on May 21, 1944, at the Newport, Rhode Island naval base, where she arrived as the eldest daughter of Lawrence “Roy” and Beatrice Moss. JoAnn is survived by her brother Larry Moss and sister Sharon Franco.

JoAnn is survived by her loving and dedicated husband, Jim “Doc” Ayres, and their children: Eric Gregory and Kacee Lambright (Burnet), Casey Jon and Nina Lambright (Houston), Darrell and Dawnell Ayres (Bellville), Bradley and Kelly Ayres (Mc-Kinney), Emily Marion Ayres (La Grange), James Whitney and Karina Ayres (Austin) and Jonathon Pomeroy Ayres (Austin).

Her grandchildren: Tyler Lambright, Paxton Singh (Justin), Ethan Lambright, Logan Drake (Jenna), Dax Lambright, Tate Lambright, Jeffrey Ayres, Kelly Hughes (Spence), Kaitlyn Carter (Ben), Calli Ayres, Ella Ayres, James Pasha Ayres, Wyatt Ayres, and Olivia Ayres.

Her great-grandchildren: Brody Alexander Ayres-Buchholz and Bronson Buchholz and Arya Ayres, Annie Louise Hughes, Mary Claire Hughes, and Charlie Jane Carter.

A memorial service for JoAnn Moss Ayres will be at 11 a.m. on Dec. 20, 2025, at St. James Episcopal Church in La Grange with visitation and lunch immediately following in the fellowship hall of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church also in La Grange.

Gifts in JoAnn’s memory may be made to: Camp Shakespeare at Winedale, University of Texas (Checks payable to UT Austin with Camp Shakespeare in the Memo Line. 204 W. 21st St. Stop B5000, Austin, TX 78712) La Grange Rotary Club Scholarship Fund (Checks payable to Rotary Club of La Grange, P.O. Box 723, La Grange, TX 78945)