Deborah Elaine Johnson Ayres

Deborah Elaine Johnson Ayres, age 61, of Manassas, Virginia, passed away on June 2, 2016 at Capital Caring Hospice Center after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was the beloved wife of William Ayres of Manassas for 37 years. Deborah was born in Alexandria, VA on February 11, 1955 and was the fourth child of Walter Warren Johnson and Ella Martha Johnson. She grew up in Arlington, VA and graduated from T.C. Williams High School in 1973. She then worked at Verizon Communications for 31 years until her retirement in 2010. In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by her sister Sharon Follin and husband, Pete Woods; sister-in-law, Susan Eubanks and family; nephew Clay Talbot and wife, Lynn; niece Michelle Zolkowski and husband, Jason; nieces Tiffany Woods, Kimberly Bennett, April Johnson; great-nieces Layla Zolkowski and Alena Zolkowski, as well as numerous friends and additional relatives. She is preceded in death by siblings, Walter Johnson Jr., Darlene Guerrin, and David Johnson; and her beloved cats Lobo and Neechi. Deborah was an incredible person who set the perfect example of what it means to be brave and persevere. Despite her stage IV diagnosis in 2010, she maintained a positive attitude on life and beat the odds for the next six years. She enjoyed going to the movies with her husband, spoiling her nieces, rooting for the Washington Redskins, and getting “cups of ice, to go” when dining out. She was adored by her family, a truly unique woman, and will be greatly missed. A graveside service will be held at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, VA on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM. Interment is to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to National Ovarian Coalition at www.ovarian.org or CancerBlows.