Alice F. Riley

LEXINGTON – Alice Fritz Riley was born September 23, 1923 to the Rev. Charles E. and Rose Stump Fritz in Waukesha, WI, where her father was Pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church. She spent much of her childhood in Neenah, WI, before moving with her family, first to Greensboro, NC, and then to Columbia, SC, where her father was Pastor of Ebenezer Lutheran Church. She graduated from Columbia High School in 1940.

Alice graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in 1944 with an AB in English and a teaching certificate for English and Social Studies. After graduation she returned to Columbia, SC, where she met and married the love of her life, Eber LeRoy Riley (deceased June 24, 1977). They had five children: Roy Riley, Jr. (Betsy), Michael F. Riley (Betty), Alice Anne Merritt (John), Timothy D. Riley (Nickie), Rose Mary Corbett (Bob). Alice delighted in and adored fifteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

Alice was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church and a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Columbia. Her Lutheran heritage stretches back to her grandfather, Dr. Joseph Stump, a Lutheran Seminary Professor and first President of Northwestern Seminary in Minneapolis. Her brothers, Richard (deceased) and Douglas were ordained as Lutheran Pastors, as were two of her sons, Roy and Mike.

Alice maintained her own lay ministry over the years, visiting shut-ins, being a leader in stewardship and an active member of her church ‘women’s’ circle. Additionally, she served on the summer staff at Lutheridge.

She had a deep love of music. A coloratura soprano, Alice was for many years a member of the Columbia Choral Society, Good Shepherd Choir, and a frequent soloist. Her four siblings, Joseph, Richard, Douglas and Betty Anne, were all outstanding vocalists and together could easily sing anything in four or five part harmony; add their spouses and there was a full chorus. Alice loved to see her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren following in this musical tradition.

Her other loves included the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears, South Carolina Gamecocks, Atlanta Braves, a front porch ocean view at the beach, coffee, food she didn’t have to cook, and an evening toddy of Canadian and ginger ale.

She was a person of grace, always living with a thankful heart and a positive attitude. Above all, we remember her deep Christian faith and commitment to the church and its mission. She was blessed to be a blessing, and that was how she lived.

A celebration of life service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow in Elmwood Cemetery.Visitation will be at the church prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.

“Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.”