Karen Denise Ayton

April 6, 1971 - September 22, 2013
Karen Denise Ayton

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Hickory, NC

Karen Denise Ayton, 42 of Hickory, NC and formerly of Hendersonville, NC departed this life on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, NC.

She was born April 6, 1971 to Doris S. Shelf and the late Fletcher L. Ross. Karen was a 1989 graduate of Hendersonville High School in Hendersonville, NC.

Left to cherish her memory she is survived by: a daughter, Kyra Imani Ayton of Charlotte, NC by the way of Laurel, Maryland; her mother, Doris S. Shelf of Hendersonville, NC; three brothers, Ricky Staggs of Winston-Salem, NC, Kevin Staggs and his wife Lynn of Hendersonville, NC and Keith Shelf of Charlotte, NC; a sister, Jacqueline Staggs and her husband Darryl of Charlotte, NC; maternal grandmother, Lou Ella Attucks of Winston-Salem, NC; an uncle, Frankie Staggs and his wife Avis of Charlotte; an aunt , Barbara Glenn and her husband Alvin of Winston-Salem, NC; on her fatherís side she leaves 7 brothers and 10 sisters; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, September 30, 2013 at the Kirby Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home. Rev. Billy T. Waters will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to Kyra Imani Ayton Scholarship Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, c/o Jacqueline Staggs, PO Box 620097, Charlotte, NC 28262 or www.gofundme.com


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  • September 29, 2013
    Sandie Horne says:
    R.I.P., Karen

  • September 29, 2013
    Darnel Waters says:
    My prayers go out to the family at this difficult time. Karen will truly be missed.

  • September 30, 2013
    DeShannon Bynum Dixon says:
    Karen was the friend everyone enjoyed being around, she was pretty, funny, and caring. I never minded walking "down the hill" to "the circle" to help with homework. The last time I saw Karen was at a festival in Hville, and I was excited to connect with her again on fb. I pray the family finds comfort in all the great memories you share.

  • September 30, 2013
    Antoine Carnes says:
    My heart and prayers go out to the family. Be Blessed and know that she is with God and his arms are around you to support you in your time of grief and loss.

  • September 30, 2013
    Lisa Palmer says:
    We will miss you