Lakan Cherie' Ayers

Lakan Cherie’ Ayers, age 27, of Lutts, Tennessee, passed away on March 17, 2026, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. She was born on October 19, 1998, in Columbia, Tennessee.

Lakan was a 2017 graduate of Collinwood High School and worked as a caregiver for Buffalo River Services, where she dedicated herself to helping others with compassion and kindness.

She will be remembered as loving, caring, and a wholehearted person who cherished her family and friends deeply. Lakan had a special love for animals, especially her dogs and cats, whom she adored as her “furbabies.” Her friends described her as the life of the party, someone who could light up any room with her presence.

She is survived by her fiancé, Christopher Powell; her parents, Danny and Tammy Ayers; her siblings, Tabitha Cox (Anthony) and Mathew Ayers (Charlene); bonus siblings, Olivia Ayers and Aleah Kelley; and her beloved nieces, Ellie and Sonny Ayers. She is also survived by her special friends, Samuel Woods, Jason Bevis, Tory Eaton, Cattaleya Bevis, Jane and Seth Flippo, and her entire BRS family.

Lakan was preceded in death by her grandparents, Noah and Mattie Ayers and Robert and Loretta Dugar; her aunt, Robbie Copeland; her uncle, Thomas Ayers.

Funeral services began at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Piney Grove Freewill Baptist Church with Larry Burbank and Greg Eaton officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers included Samuel Woods, Anthony Cox, Mathew Ayers, Cody Olive, Jason Bevis, Brandon Hensley, Seth Flippo, and Durlin Dixon. Christopher Powell served as an honorary pallbearer.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Shauna Blalock, and Nails by Lex for their care and support.

Lakan will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation is honored to serve the Ayers family.