Pansy Jewel Riley

Pansy Jewel Riley, 86, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Monday, January 21, 2019 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Riley, the daughter of the late Patrick James and Iva Alberta (McClintock) Malone, was born April 5, 1932 in West Frankfort, Ill. She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and a previous member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Kell, Ill. where she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible school, and was active in the BTU. After raising her own family, Mrs. Riley was blessed with many children calling her Grandma Pansy. Great joy was shared, as she opened her heart and home, for the love and nurturing of others. She was a member and President of the WWI 1191 Ladies Auxiliary for 17 years and also a volunteer for the John J. Pershing Veterans Hospital. Mrs. Riley enjoyed spending time with her family, crocheting and quilting.

On April 9, 1948 she married Melvin E. Riley in Mt. Vernon, Ill. and they recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include three children, Pamela R. Duckett of Jackson, Tenn., Annette (Terry) Frazier of Poplar Bluff and Aletha J. (Kim) Arne of Steward Ill., and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

A son Emmett Eugene Riley, a sister Patricia Ashby and a son-in-law Rowland Duckett preceded her in death.

A private graveside service will be held at the family cemetery in Kell, Ill. at a later date.