Otha Mary (Mae) Riley

Ms. Otha Mary (Mae) Riley was born August 15, 1942 in rural Charleston, Mississippi County to Eddie Riley and Minnie Bell Elam Riley-Macklin.  She was the oldest of five siblings.  Her parents, five children, David, Joseph, Virginia, Joyce, and Betrice, one grandson and one great granddaughter have all preceded her in death.

Otha grew up in Rural Alfalfa Center M.  She attended the Bird's Mill School.

She was a faithful member of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder Limmie D. Pulliam until she left the state of Missouri in 2018.

Otha worked as a secretary for the Wilson City, City Hall for some years.  She was a cook at Grandma's Kitchen, Country Kitchen and Charleston Manor before becoming a childcare provider until her retirement.

She loved to fish, sew and she spent many summers raising a garden and tending to her flowers.  She was also a very good carpenter and auto mechanic.  Otha loved people and she would do whatever she could to help anyone she thought was in need.  She loved her children and grandchildren very much.

On May 26, 2020, God called Otha to her eternal home at the age of 77 years, nine months, and 11 days.

She leaves to cherish precious memories, two sons, Bobby Riley of Phoenix, Arizona and Victor (Genice) Riley of Sikeston, Missouri, five daughters, Mary (Roy) Owens of Seligman, Arizona, Doris (Dwight) Davis of Charleston, Missouri, Flora (Thomas) Murray of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Judith (Douglas) James of Spencer, Oklahoma and Priscilla Riley of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, one brother, Willie (Stephanie) Riley of Paducah, Kentucky, three sisters, Minnie Jackson of Future City, Illinois, Mary Anne Riley of Paducah, Kentucky and Sammie (Dennis) Reed of Arlington, Texas, 23 grandchildren, 28 plus great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A memorial celebration will take place Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 2:30pm at 307 East Ada Street  in Charleston, Missouri.