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Roger Lee Riley, Sr., passed away Monday, May 5, 2014 at his home in Monticello. He was born February 13, 1960, in Wilmar, Arkansas, to Cleveland Riley and Charlene McNairy. He was the fourteenth of fifteen children. He was preceded in death by four brothers and six sisters; C. F., Cleveland, Hattie, James, LaMarris, and Teresa.
He graduated from Frank Cody High School, Detroit, Michigan, in 1978. Upon returning to Arkansas, he met and married Erma Lucas, and to this union one son, Roger Riley, Jr., was born, and later another son, Sidney Lucas.
Roger, “Popeye” united with Green Mount Baptist Church early in life; and upon moving to the Sixteen Section Community, he united with the Sixteen Section Missionary Baptist Church. He served as a member of the choir and church treasurer until his health failed in 2012. He was a willing worker and dedicated to serve where ever he was needed.
Roger, “Popeye” Riley, Sr., answered his call and surrendered to the will of God on Monday, May 5, 2014...he fought a good fight, he finished his course, he kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give him at that day; and not for him only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
“Popeye” leaves to mourn his passing, his devoted wife, Erma Riley; two sons, Roger Riley, Jr., and Sidney Lucas; two nephews whom he raised as sons, Gregory Shaw and Jeremy Hayes; six brothers, Willie Lee Riley, James (Recey) Riley, Eddie (Jackie) Riley, Edward (Linda) Riley, all of Detroit, MI; Welton (Jean) Green of Monticello, AR; and Emmit (Dorothy) Riley of Crossett, AR; five sisters; Christine (Marshall), Happy (Rufus), Maryland Rawls, Bobbie (Theadore), and Emma Riley, all of Detroit, MI; one grandson; two granddaughters; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.
He graduated from Frank Cody High School, Detroit, Michigan, in 1978. Upon returning to Arkansas, he met and married Erma Lucas, and to this union one son, Roger Riley, Jr., was born, and later another son, Sidney Lucas.
Roger, “Popeye” united with Green Mount Baptist Church early in life; and upon moving to the Sixteen Section Community, he united with the Sixteen Section Missionary Baptist Church. He served as a member of the choir and church treasurer until his health failed in 2012. He was a willing worker and dedicated to serve where ever he was needed.
Roger, “Popeye” Riley, Sr., answered his call and surrendered to the will of God on Monday, May 5, 2014...he fought a good fight, he finished his course, he kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give him at that day; and not for him only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
“Popeye” leaves to mourn his passing, his devoted wife, Erma Riley; two sons, Roger Riley, Jr., and Sidney Lucas; two nephews whom he raised as sons, Gregory Shaw and Jeremy Hayes; six brothers, Willie Lee Riley, James (Recey) Riley, Eddie (Jackie) Riley, Edward (Linda) Riley, all of Detroit, MI; Welton (Jean) Green of Monticello, AR; and Emmit (Dorothy) Riley of Crossett, AR; five sisters; Christine (Marshall), Happy (Rufus), Maryland Rawls, Bobbie (Theadore), and Emma Riley, all of Detroit, MI; one grandson; two granddaughters; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.