Ayleen Kelley Riley

Virginia Ayleen Kelley Riley, 97, peacefully passed away at home on Jan 21, 2023. She was born on Oct 3, 1925 in Renan, Virginia to Oaty and Lottie (Booker) Kelley. She graduated from Renan High School in 1943 and went on to graduate from Madison College in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She started teaching in Danville, VA at Schoolfield High School where she met her future husband, Perry George Riley. They were married on December 15, 1951 and shared 42 years of marriage until Perry passed in 1994.

They built a great life together, started a family, moved around a bit, and then settled in Hampton. After taking a break to have three daughters, Ayleen returned to teaching at Buckroe Junior High, Jefferson Davis Junior High, and Hampton High Schools. She retired from Hampton City School System after 30+ years to enjoy traveling with Perry, spending time with her family, and volunteering at her church. She enjoying watching football, golf, and most other sports-- particularly basketball.

As grandchildren came along, her focus became following them and their interests. Her great grand-children were the joys of her life. She was known and loved by many as MeMe. Reading was also a huge part of her life and she was known to stay up all night reading a good book. Ayleen loved to visit her family and was able to do so up until she was 90. She would also talk to her dear sister almost every day as they got older.

Ayleen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Perry, brothers Wilber Kelley (Ava Mae), Jesse Kelly (Kitty), Oaty Kelley, sister Cricket Reese (Richard), and son-in-law Richard Merrill. Surviving Ayleen are her daughters Pamela Riley Rosenberger (Terry) of Lynchburg, Patricia A Merrill of Lusby, Md, and Kim Riley Sayers (David) of Hampton, two grandchildren Kelley Sayers Kulzer (Kory) and Riley David Sayers (Stephanie), and 3 great grand-children, Hudson and Bennett Kulzer, Greyson Sayers, brother-in-law Loyle Strader and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Friday, January 27, 2023 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home chapel, located at 2551 North Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666. A celebration of life service officiated by Pastor Jay Russ will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by interment at Parklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.