Katie Riley, 91

Funeral services for Katie Riley, 91, of Drury, were held Sept. 14, 2021, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava with ministers David Shipley and T. J. Stout officiating. Mrs. Riley died Sept. 10 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield with her children by her side.

She was born Nov. 22, 1929, in Trail, the daughter of Oliver and Mayme Brown Hicks. Her mother died when she was a little girl, and her father later married Bertha Brown Moss, who became Katie’s stepmother and was wonderful to her.

On March 22, 1947, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, she married Chester David Riley. 

Mrs. Riley worked hard all her life. She worked as a waitress at Rockbridge Rainbow Trout Ranch for more than 20 years. She had also worked at Baxter Lab in Mountain Home. She was a Christian and a member of the Gentryville Church. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, singing and visiting with people. Her church family was very important to her.

Mrs. Riley was a kind servant who always gave to others in need. She adored her family, and they adored her. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include five daughters and their spouses: Janet Collins and husband Stanley of Battlefield, Jeanie Shipley and husband David of Dora, Vicky Stout and Cindy Barkes, both of Drury, Nancy Posey and husband Roger of Cave Springs, Arkansas, and daughter-in-law Sandra Riley of Dora; 14 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Freda Griffin; and other extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother; her husband, Chester, who died in 2013; her brothers, Noah and Felda; her sisters, Nellie, Gladys and Barbara; her son, Gary David Riley; grandson, Gregory Collins; great-grandson Peyton Massey; and son-in-law Kenny Stout.

Burial will be in the Blanche Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Blanche Cemetery or to the Gentryville Church. 

Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, directors.