Mary Owens Riley, 96

Mary Owens Riley, died October 3rd in Lakeland after a brief illness.

Mary was born on December 12, 1925, to Rufus B. and Emily C. Owens in Mobile, Alabama. A resident of Lakeland since the late 1950’s, Mary served for over 35 years as the secretary/bookkeeper for Mr. Al Bellotto and the Circle B Ranch on Winter Lake Road. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt to her small but close-knit family. She was known by many names – Mom, Granny, Mary, Mary Emily and Sis. She could often be found working in her yard, carefully tending to her beloved camellia bushes and daylilies. A resident of Lakeland for over 60 years, she also loved each and every visit to Lake Morton to see the swans.

She was preceded in death by her husband and WWII veteran, John G. Riley, Sr., and her son, John G. Riley, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Riley; her two grandsons, Austin Parker and Sean Parker (Kelly); her three great-grandsons, Owens, Judd and Ben Parker; her niece Emily Roberts Winn (Greg) and their children, Megan and Michael Winn.

A private burial will be held at a future date at the Mobile National Cemetery, where she will join her late husband. Condolences may be sent to the family at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes.