Curtis Mitchell "Mitch" Riley

Amory – Curtis Mitchell “Mitch” Riley, 86, died on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at Oak Tree Plantation. Born on December 16, 1925, in the Carolina Community, he was a son of the late Edgar and Pansy Coggin Riley.

Mr. Riley attended Carolina Schools. On December 23, 1947, he married Louise “Punkie” Brooks; they met while she was waitressing on the railroad dining car. Retiring in 1987, after 42 ½ years of service from Frisco Railroad and BNSF, Mr. Riley worked as a Signal Maintainer. He was a member of Meadowood Baptist Church. Mr. Riley’s life was guided by his faith, family, and friends. He was passionate about reaching out to the lost and sharing the Gospel with them. Mr. Riley enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; talking Railroad and attending the Railroad Club; and listening to hymns. A free-hearted and generous man, he was always willing to help anyone in need.

He is survived by his sons, Mike Riley (Donna) and Roger Riley (Beverly) of Amory; brother, Paul Riley (Frances), Nettleton; grandchildren, Melanie Stark (Matt), Amory, Scott Riley (Carrie), Tupelo, Luke Riley (Jennifer), Texas, Kelsey White (Eric), Amory, Ben Riley (Katharine), Tupelo; great-grandchildren, Drew, Colby, and Caden Riley of Tupelo; Thomas Riley of Texas; Riley and Ann Brooke Stark of Amory; and Eli White of Amory; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Brooks Riley; sisters, Gertrude “Sis” Davis and Laverne Hester; brothers, Gene, Herman, and Thomas L. Riley.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 PM, Friday, November 16 at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home with Dr. Lloyd Sweatt, Bro. Danny Burks, and Luke Riley officiating. Burial will follow in Hatley Cemetery. His grandchildren, who will honor PawPaw by serving as pallbearers, are Scott, Luke, and Ben Riley; Matt Stark; Eric White; and Drew Riley. Honorary pallbearers will be his great grandchildren, Colby, Eli, Thomas, Caden, and Riley and his railroad co-workers, Bill Clements, Billy Gray, Bob Schaeffer, Van Hilt, Ronnie Heavner, Buford Bray, and Ernie Vaughan.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM, Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to Hatley Cemetery Fund