MERIDIAN —

    QUITMAN – Graveside services for Ethel Faye McClellan Riley will be held Monday at noon at Quitman Cemetery. Wrights Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

    Mrs. Riley, 96, of Gulfport, died Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at her home after a lengthy illness. Born Oct. 4, 1916, in Heidelberg to John Henry and Mattie McClellan, she grew up surrounded by a large loving family. She and her sisters and cousins enjoyed playing basketball at Heidelberg High School. Ethel loved horseriding and helping her dad on their farm.

    She married Lucian Riley of Clarke County in 1936 and they raised their four children in Quitman. Mrs. Riley was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Quitman. She enjoyed her ladies Sunday School class, singing in the senior adult choir and traveling with the senior citizens group of the church.

    She moved to Gulfport  in 1995 to be near family. Through the years, she delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and felt great pride in their accomplishments.

    Mrs. Riley is survived by her son, Donnie D. Riley and his wife, Nancy, of Gulfport; daughter-in-law, Helen Couch Riley of Quitman; daughter, Janice Newell and her husband, Robert, of Athens, Greece; son, Jerry D. Riley and his wife, Judy, of Gulfport; grandchildren: LeeAnn Newman, Kitsy Benvenutti, Edie Denham, Matthew Newell, Tatum Cochran, Douglas Newell, Lisa Whigham and Brooke Riley; great-grandchildren: Lucian McDonald, Brad Denham, Nancy Newman, Riley Benvenutti, Hogan Benvenutti, Cecelia Whigham, Nicolas McDonald, Camille Newman, Catherine Newman, Jacob Whigham, Joshua Denham, Emery Cochran and Houston Cochran; her sister, Elizabeth Wheatley of Union; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

    She was preceded in death by her husband, Silas Lucian Riley (March 29, 1977), and son, Larry Arnold Riley (2011), both of Quitman.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials go to: Friends of the Redeemer United, 6001 Vista Circle, Gulfport, MS 39507 or Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, P.O. Box 101699, Atlanta, GA 30392 for Project #89881– PORTA -The Albania House in Athens.

    The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to so many thoughtful, compassionate and loving companions, hospice and medical staff.

    Visitation will be held on the day of services, from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., at the funeral home.