Rose Mary Riley

Rose Mary Riley, 59, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with Rose Mary’s family at www.andersonbethany.com. There will be a Viewing at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory on July 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with a Memorial Service to follow at 11 a.m. Rose Mary was born to Earline “Earl” and Thelma V. (Bailey) Riley on December 22, 1964, in Roswell, New Mexico. She was the fifth of six children. She lived most of her life in Roswell and was a graduate of Roswell High School. In her early years, she attended Beulah SDA Church where she developed a love for singing. She especially loved singing and harmonizing with her sisters at church, which was then under the leadership of Pastor Phillip Williams. Rose Mary held several administrative/secretarial positions and was known to be efficient and capable. She was a people person and well-liked by both her coworkers and managers. The two joys of Rose Mary’s life were her sons, Jariel and Rickey. She spoke of them often and carried them in her heart always. Their concerns were her concerns; their joys, her joys. But she especially doted on her grandchildren—as all grandparents do. Each new birth was filled with such excitement; and she was quick to share that excitement with family and friends. Although Rose Mary spent most of her life in Roswell, she moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and spent a number of years taking care of her mother. She loved her mom dearly and was fervent and meticulous in caring for her; and her family was most grateful for her faithful service. Later, the reigns of caregiving were turned over to her brother, Chris; and Rose Mary returned to Roswell to help care for her grandchildren. Many things can be said about Rose Mary: she was very emotional; she loved deeply; she laughed often; she was a joy to be around; and she had a special bond with many people. She wasn’t perfect; she had her faults and struggles, as we all do. But Rose Mary brought a bit of sunshine to all of our lives, and that ray of light will certainly be missed. In the last few months of Rose Mary’s life, she was taken into care by her special, lifelong friend, Michael Houston. It was a comfort to her family to know Rose Mary was under the watch of someone who loved her, and his kind assistance was greatly appreciated. Rose Mary was preceded in death by her father, Earl Riley. She leaves to cherish her memories, a mother, Thelma V. Riley of Huntsville, Alabama; two sons, Jariel Riley of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Rickey (Nancy) Riley of Roswell, New Mexico; two sisters, Delores (Cedric) Francois of Huntsville, Alabama, and Beverly (Benjamin) Graves of Tonawanda, New York; three brothers, Christopher Riley of Huntsville, Alabama, Vincent Riley of Phoenix, Arizona, and Roy Riley of Clinton, Maryland; twelve grandchildren, Emily Riley, Chance Riley, Kianna Riley, Isaiah Riley, Zaedyn Riley, Zaveah Riley, Nemaryah Karinda Riley, Rickey Eugene Riley II, De’Zyire Faith Renee Riley, Real Ezra Riley, Royale Earl Riley, and Nalasia Karisma Riley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss her dearly. Rose Mary’s tribute was lovingly written by her family.

Rose Mary Riley

December 22, 1964 - July 11, 2024