Mrs. Lillie Riley

Mrs. Lillie M. Riley, age 79, passed from this life on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Saint Louis University Hospital. From her birth in Blytheville, Arkansas, on February 22, 1946, to her death on Thursday, April 3, 2025, she remained loyal to her family and friends and committed to her faith in Christ. Lillie was born to the late John Gadis and Jennie Rose Riley and was the eldest of 9 children between her parents. She graduated from Harrison High School class of 1964 in Blytheville, Arkansas, and later in life earned a bachelor’s degree in teaching from Harris Stowe College in Saint Louis, Mo. Lillie confessed her life in Christ at the age of 9. She always practiced faith in God and never hesitated to share God's love and grace with others. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Treasurer, and Usher at the Community Fellowship Church for over 25 years. Lillie was a social butterfly who saw the good in most people. In the late stages of her life, she enjoyed reading her bible, working word search books, watching soap operas, and being present in the lives of family and friends – especially her grandchildren. Jimmie and Lillie united in Holy Matrimony in 1985, and 2025 would have marked 40 years of marriage with the late Jimmie Lee Riley. Left to honor and remember Lillie are her daughter, Mrs. Ronjula (Willie) Kent Jr., and grandchildren, Willie Kent III and Alexia Kent. Siblings: Mr. Jimmy Cook of Arkansas, Mr. Lee Gadis, Ms. Claudine Moore, Ms. Dorothy Washington, Mr. Tommie Gadis, Mrs. Joyce (Rodney) Mickens, Mr. Jermaine (Lisa) Gadis, all of Indiana. Mrs. Janis (Bennie) Hill of Saint Louis, MO. 3 In-Laws: Mr. Willie (Ruth) Riley, and Mrs. Hattie (David) Riley, both of WI. Mrs. Ellen (Roger) Riley-Bunt of MI. Uncles: Mr. Wille Earl (Mable) Riley of Illinois and Mr. Mack (May) Gadis of Indiana. Aunts: Miss Luella Cole, Mrs. Juanita (Jeff) Lewis of IN, and Ms. Eula Conway of MI. Children by Marriage: Ms. Carolyn (Joseph) Murchinson, Mr. Michael (Tina) Riley of TX, Mrs. Neva (Marc) Taylor, Mr. Keith (Tonia) Riley, Mr. Edward (Wanda) Watkins, Ms. Michelle Jones, Mr. Rickey Jones. Daughter in Law: Malaika Watkins. Nephew: Bennie Hill and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends. Special friends: Geneva (Lucy) Kent, Iris (Bug) Diltz. Lillie was preceded in death by her parents, Spouse Jimmie L Riley, Brother James Gadis, and Children by Marriage: Larry Riley, Maxine Riley, Frank Riley, and Jimmie Watkins. Services for Lillie (Mae) Riley Date: Wednesday, April 16th, 2025. Times: Wake, 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM Funeral & Burial Service, 11:00 AM Location: Valhalla Funeral Chapel 7600 St Charles Rock Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63133 Repast Location: Celebrity’s Banquet Center 12119 Bellefontaine Rd St Louis, Missouri 63138

Mrs. Lillie Riley

February 22, 1946 - April 3, 2025