Mr. Benjamin McNeal Ayles, 62, died Friday, April 12, 2024, at Oxford Health and Rehab.
Ben was born on December 9, 1962, in Oxford, MS, to the late Billie Catherine McNeal and Harry Rowland Ayles. Ben was a member of the band in both high school and college, playing the trombone and developing friendships amongst his fellow band members. He worked at Liberty Grocery Store, Kroger, and Walmart as a stocker. An avid reader, Ben was passionate about books and read as often as possible. He was most recently rereading one of his favorite novels, Lonesome Dove. When he wasn’t reading, Ben found great enjoyment watching older TV shows. With a quick wit and unique sense of humor, he was always telling jokes and winning laughs. If you spent any amount of time with Ben, you quickly learned his style of humor and frequent puns, and were sure to walk away with a smile. A dedicated member of Clear Creek Baptist Church, he lent his voice to the choir and attended the adults Sunday school class. A kind and gentle man, Ben was a friend to all and will be missed by many.
Ben is survived by his sister, Catherine Ayles Atkins and her husband, Will, of Mountain Home, AR; brother, Thomas R. Ayles of Southaven, MS; a niece, Jenny Walski; a nephew, Justin Burton; as well as five great nieces and nephews.
Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Ben’s memory may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or online at https://www.cancer.org/, or to Clear Creek Baptist Church, 46 County Road 313, Oxford, MS 38655.
