Mrs. Hazel W. Riley

Hazel Walker Riley passed away on February 23, 2013, at the age of 100. She is survived by three Children: Carol Riley McDonald, William S. Riley, Sr., and Martha Riley Kinney; five grandchildren, Margie Greene Barulsen, George Greene, Jr., Major William S. Riley, Jr., Michael P. Riley, and 1LT Yubiana Kinney Worth; eight great-grandchildren, Katie M. Barulsen, Taylor L. Barulsen, Alicia Greene, Daniel Greene, Shiloh Riley, Jaeden Riley, Jack Riley, Ethan Worth, and Blake Riley; and one great-great-grandchild, Sara Ann Greene. Hazel graduated from LSU in 1933 with a degree in Music, English and French. She began her teaching career that same year in Gulfport, Miss. In 1935 she married the late S. Willard Riley and moved to Atlanta. The concert violinist joined the Atlanta Symphony under Conductor Henry Sopkin, while teaching music in the Atlanta Public Schools. Moving to the elementary grades, she taught until 1958, when she attended Emory University, graduating with an MEd in School Administration. The following year she became Principal of Reese Park School in Americus, Ga. In 1961 Hazel returned to her love for the elementary classroom and Atlanta, where she taught until retirement in the early 1980’s. Hazel was a member of Decatur First United Methodist Church. A Memorial Service is scheduled to be held at Patterson’s Spring Hill, on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.