Betty Lucille Riley

BETTY LUCILLE RILEY Betty Lucille Riley, age 95 of Laurel, passed away April 29, 2026. She was born October 26, 1930 to Edgar and Lucille Riley. She graduated from Laurel High School, where she played basketball. Betty then attended Mississippi Southern College where she received an English degree, and later returned to the then University of Southern Mississippi to earn a library arts certification. Betty was an educator, teaching forty years in public school in the Jones County and Laurel School Districts. When she retired, she was soon called back to teach the Advanced Placement English classes. Her skills as a teacher were called on often, as she taught numerous Sunday school classes and lead many, many studies as a member of the United Methodist Women, first at Kingston Methodist Church and later at Laurel First Methodist. Betty loved to travel with friends, and was a voracious reader until her vision problems caused her to give up that passion. She then turned to watching sports on television, especially Braves baseball, Southern Miss anything, and lots of basketball. She was a loving, generous person. She loved art and music. Betty loved family, especially her nieces and nephews, and delighted in keeping up with what they were doing, from a good discussion of history and politics to their exploits in sports, dance, theater, art, and crossword puzzles. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Lucille Riley; her sisters, Dorothy Jean Riley, Katherine Patrick, and Carolyn Brent; nephew, Ricky Brent; and special friend, Amorita “Doodle” Gordon. She is survived by her niece, Cecelia Luter (Jay); nephews, Don Patrick (Irene), Ron Brent (Lena), and Bob Brent (Lynn); great-nieces and nephews, Julie Nosser (Jay), Chris Luter (Rebecca), Scott Luter (Laura), Matthew Luter, Alan Brent, Alex Brent, and Preston Brent; and great-great-nieces and nephews, Emily Luter, Nicholas Luter, Elizabeth Luter, Brady Nosser, Andrew Nosser, Elliot Gellin-Luter, and Natalie Gellin-Luter. We would like to thank her caregivers, Dorothy Shows, Kellie Powell, Michele McGreevey, Dekala Davis, and Cassandra Gant, who lovingly took care of her, argued with her (usually losing), and thoroughly spoiled her. Her service will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at First Methodist Church of Laurel. Visitation will be held from 1 PM to 2 PM with a service starting at 2 PM. She will be laid to rest in Lake Park Cemetery, and Dr. Daniel Hathorne will officiate. To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.memorychapellaurel.com

Betty Lucille Riley

October 26, 1930 - April 29, 2026