Ellnora Alma Riecken

Ellnora Alma Riecken, 91, passed away peacefully October 22, 2025, after a short illness with family by her side. Born in Delaware, Ohio, Ellnora was the daughter of William and Alma Riecken. Her family later moved to Jackson where she attended Jackson public schools, graduating from Central High School and later Millsaps College.

After earning her master’s degree from Florida State University, Ellnora spent her entire career as a music teacher in the Miami, Florida public school system. During her working years, she maintained her childhood home in the Fondren area of Jackson and spent summers and holidays there. Ellnora’s greatest joy was travel. She visited several continents and attended nearly all World’s Fairs held during her lifetime, always looking for “what’s over the next hill.” Ellnora was a longtime member of Galloway United Methodist church in Jackson and First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables and took great joy in singing in the choirs of both churches. In a text following Ellnora’s death, a fellow choir member in Miami described her as “fiercely independent.” The text was shared among family members who all agreed and smiled.

Ellnora was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dr. W.E. Riecken, Jr. She is survived by her nieces, Lynn Riecken Ellison, Leigh Riecken Cochran and nephew William Riecken.

Services will be held at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson on Wednesday, October 29 at noon with visitation at 11am. Memorials may be made to the Dr. William Emil and Alma Gollner Riecken Endowed Scholarship Fund, C/O Millsaps College, 1701 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39210 or to Galloway United Methodist Church.