Lila Riley

Lila Mae Riley, aged 92, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2011, surrounded by family and friends, following a brief illness. Lila was born to Minnie Pearl Reed and Charles Wesley Truitt in Clay County, Texas on July 28, 1919, the youngest of eight children. Growing up, she assumed the role of caregiver for her family, working beside her mother, becoming a master seamstress and excellent cook. She utilized these talents throughout her life. In 1938 she graduated from Henrietta High School in Henrietta , Texas . She met Walter Kenion Riley in Wichita Falls , Texas , and they married December 1, 1938. They settled in Waxahachie shortly thereafter and together owned and operated Riley Typewriter Shop for 42 years prior to their retirement in 1980. Lila was a member of First Baptist Church in Waxahachie where she taught in the Beginners 5-year old Sunday School for forty years. She was a member of the Builders Sunday School Department, and a former member of the Waxahachie Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. Lila was the last survivor of her generation of Truitt's and Reed's. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Kenion Riley, in 2001, her parents, five brothers (Clyde Fant, Russell Truitt, Luther Truitt, Morris Truitt, and C.W. Truitt) and two sisters (Olla Crump and Cora Brookshire). All lived in the Wichita , Clay and Tarrant County areas. Lila is survived by her immediate family - two daughters, Cherry Browning and Judy Bowler with her husband Ron; one grandson, Jeff Browning, and one great-grandson, Jake Browning all of Waxahachie. Survivors of her extended family are Colleen Goodloe, Kyle Bowler, and Keira Maynard from Waxahachie, and their children Kelsey Goodloe of Huntsville, and Morgan and Sydney Maynard of Waxahachie, many beloved nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends. Lila will be remembered for being the caregiver for her family and friends, her selfless love, and her strong will to do anything she determined to do. Services to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, November 26, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pat Boze Memorial Chapel of the Wayne Boze Funeral Home, with Dr. Jerry Lemon officiating. Pallbearers will be members of Waxahachie Lodge #80 of the International Order of Odd Fellows. Interment will follow at Italy Cemetery . Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m., prior to the service on Saturday, November 26. The family wishes to express appreciation to Mrs. Riley's family at Buffalo Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, Lighted Pathways Hospice, and those attending her at Baylor Medical Center in Waxahachie during her brief illness.

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