Betty Marie Evans Riley, age 75, of Sissonville went Home to the Lord on Sunday, October 26, 2014 during a brief stay at Hubbard Hospice House. It was a beautiful autumn morning full of sunshine and fall colors. There were reports of dancing and singing.
Betty was born November 4, 1938 in New Martinsville, daughter of the late George M. and Florence White Evans. On May 27, 1961, she married, William M. “Bill” Riley. Betty and Bill started their family in Charlton Heights, moved to Dunbar in 1973, and semi-retired to Canaan Valley in 1991. Bill beat her Home in 2008. Betty dearly missed him, and loved to hear stories of their life and adventures together.
Betty was a 1956 graduate of South Charleston High school, obtained her Bachelor of Science in 1965 from WV Institute of Technology, earned her Master’s Degree in 1967 from Marshall University, and accumulated 99 hours of post graduate credit toward her Doctorate. In that era, Betty would have needed to leave her family for one semester to complete her Doctoral program. Instead, she elected to devote her time and love to her family.
Betty worked various jobs while pursuing her undergraduate degree. She began her career in 1965 as an educator and guidance counselor in Fayette County, and then Kanawha County Schools, before retiring in 1995 from the Davis Center, near Blackwater Falls. Betty loved children, chose two for her own, and had a passion to mentor and guide all those she came in contact with. After retiring, she loved traveling with Bill to Ireland, the Caribbean, Florida, Yellowstone, and all over the eastern United States. She looked forward to hosting her grandsons for their special week together each summer.
Betty was a member of Humphreys Memorial United Methodist Church in Dunbar, then Buena Chapel in Canaan Valley, and attended River Ridge Church since moving to Sissonville in 2009. Betty was active in numerous organizations including Woman’s Club of Dunbar (President), Woman’s Club of Canaan Valley (President), Friends of the 500th (Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Secretary), Friends of Cortland Acres (Secretary), Tucker County Arts Council (Secretary), Auxiliary of the Canaan Valley Fire Department (Secretary), Red Hat Society, and Colonel John Evans chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Betty was also owner of the Craft Cottage in Dunbar, and created ceramics and crafts for numerous festivals, fairs, and cooperatives. She spent countless hours invested in genealogy research, and compiled a collection of family history volumes.
Betty is survived by two sons, James F. “Jim” Riley (wife Niki) of Sissonville, and William D. “Doug” Riley (wife Anona) of Handley; grandsons James “Marty”, Evan, Noah, Aidan, Liam, and Elijah Riley of Sissonville, Jeffrey Lindley of Handley, and William Carter of Charlotte, and sister-in-law Carole Sue Riley Kameswaran (husband Dr. V. Kameswaran) of Ocala, FL.
A celebration of her life was held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, October 31, 2014 at River Ridge Church with Pastor Matt Santen officiating. A reception followed the service. Friends and family were welcome one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donating in Betty’s memory to your favorite charity.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hardingfamilygroup.com.
Harding Funerals & Cremations 514 50th St. SE Kanawha City is serving the Riley family.
