Wanita Mae (Thergood) Ayer

Wanita M. Ayer began her journey as Wanita M. Thergood, the second daughter of Annie and Frank Thergood on November 15, 1935, in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York. Wanita was your average little black girl who just happened to have freckles, big apple cheeks and auburn colored hair. In fact, her friends called her “Red”.

Most of Wanita's childhood was spent with her older sister, Lorraine, and mother, Annie, in Annie’s Herkimer Street townhouse. It was just the three of them navigating life through the depression, World War II, and the dawn of Rock & Roll.

Eventually the trio grew in the 1950s, when Lorraine married Weldon Brinson Sr. Lorraine and Weldon would go on to have five children, sharing the same home where Annie and Wanita lived for more than 10 years. Because of this, Wanita has always been close to nieces and nephews - Weldon Jr., Dianne, Gary, Ricky. and Carol.

 Later, Wanita married her first husband, John Anderson, but the relationship dissolved. So, Wanita moved back to raise her daughter, Debra Anderson, at Annie’s townhouse.

Eventually, while working as a bookkeeper for the New York City Housing Authority, Wanita met James Ayer, who was a manager there. She appreciated James’ intelligence, maturity, sense of adventure, and his general quality as a man. In fact, Wanita said that James was the most intelligent man she had ever met. A romance bloomed and James stepped up and stepped in and became a father figure for Wanita's young daughter, Debra.

After years of courtship, the couple married and made a significant transition.  The family, including Annie, moved from the Herkimer St. townhouse to a brownstone on Greene Avenue in Brooklyn. 

Soon, Wanita and James went on to have their daughter, Elizabeth, followed by another daughter, Jawan, whose very name was a constant reminder of the loving bond that James (Ja) and Wanita (Wan) shared with one another. James and Wanita approached the education and life preparedness of her three daughters as a priority.

Not too long after her eldest daughter, Debra, went away to college, Wanita, James, Elizabeth, Jawan, and Grandma Annie all moved to the suburbs of St. Petersburg, Florida. James spent a large portion of his childhood in St. Petersburg. Always wanting the best for her children, Wanita knew that this would be good for them.

Wanita found work in Largo, Florida, as a manager for Neighborly Senior Services as Annie stayed home with Elizabeth and Jawan. This work suited Wanita very well because she had always lived a life in service to others. A determined mother, caring aunt, faithful wife, and devoted daughter, Wanita honored her family and lived a Christ-centered life teaching Sunday school and serving as an Usher.

Wanita life was a radical life with a mission of success for her daughters, and she accomplished what few have done. She raised three daughters born in Brooklyn, New York, all of whom graduated from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Two of her three college graduates became physicians, and one climbed up the corporate ladder to great success.

Eventually, her beloved James, who had been fighting emphysema, her dear mother, Annie, who had lived with her throughout her life, and her eldest daughter, Debra, all became very ill at roughly the same time. Annie, after spending a lifetime with her daughter, spent her last months with her eldest grandchild, Weldon Jr., allowing Wanita to split her time between work, caring for James, and assisting with the care of her eldest daughter, Debra.

Wanita endured the pain of losing her mother, husband, and eldest child within a few years of one another, with her usual display of grace and strength. But relying on her faith, she continued to be active in her church and giving to her community by volunteering with different charities.

In the years that followed, Wanita felt that the time had come to wind down. She had been in service to others throughout her life and being almost eighty years old seemed like a good time to find her peace, so she called her nephew, Weldon Jr. who had been like a son to her, to pack up a truck and drive her to live with Elizabeth, near Dallas, Texas. 

With Elizabeth, Wanita lived her remaining decade in a much less stressful lifestyle, being an active member of the Richardson Senior Center. She also spent her eighties witnessing some of the fruits of her labors close up through the progress of both her daughter, Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Ashley, whom she helped raise years ago in Florida.

Though, at times, there was sadness and turmoil, and plans were deferred, Wanita’s life of purpose was fruitful, after all.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, James Ayer; her daughter, Debra Skinner; her father, Frank Thergood; her mother, Annie Thergood; and her beloved sister, Lorraine Brinson.

Those left to cherish lasting memories include her daughters, Elizabeth Ayer and Jawan Ayer; her grandchildren, Charles Skinner, Ashley Ayer, James Cole, and Jaylin Cole; her nieces and nephews, Weldon Brinson Jr., Diane Poindexter, Gary Brinson, Ricky Brinson, and Carol Brownlee; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family, cousins, and friends.

In honor of Wanita's life, which was filled with love and light, all who attend her celebration service are encourged to wear bright colors. 

All are welcome to join us via live stream on this memorial page at

11:00 AM on SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026,

as we celebrate the life of our beloved Wanita. Click the link below:

Celebration of Life for Wanita Mae (Thergood) Ayer

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