Barbara Harlene Riley

Barbara Riley of Bryan, Texas, was born on March 25th, 1942, in Laurel, Mississippi, and went to the Lord on September 20, 2026.

Services will be held on October 9, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan, Texas. The rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. A visitation and reception will follow in the church hall. She will be laid to rest beside her daughter, Dr. Brenda Sue Riley, at the Aggie Field of Honor.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 64 years, Colonel James Riley; her daughter Carolyn and son-in-law Michael Sherman of Mountain Home, Texas; her granddaughter, Lt. Colonel Heather Leal, and her husband Victor of Schertz, Texas; her great-grandchildren, Andrew, Andrea, and Adrian Leal; her sisters-in-law, Bernadette Riley and Sue Riley; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Dr. Brenda Riley; her mother, Mary Francis Browne; her brother, Bobby D. Browne; her sister, Sarah Black; her grandmother, Nettie Stricklin; her uncle, Arthur Stricklin; and her stepfather, Charles Browne.

From her husband’s commissioning at Texas A&M in 1962, Barbara remained steadfastly by his side. During more than 22 years of military service, the family spent six years in Europe. She endured Russian harassment in Berlin and long separations during Jim’s Army deployments while caring for her family and continuing her service to the Red Cross and the Catholic Church. After Jim retired from the military, Barbara lived among some of Texas’ most dangerous criminals while he served as the Texas prison director. Through it all, she kept her faith and family strong. She raised their daughters, Carolyn and Brenda; helped nurture their granddaughter, Heather; cherished three precious great-grandchildren; and warmly welcomed her son-in-law and grandson-in-law, Mike and Victor.

With God at the center of her life, Barbara made many pilgrimages to Catholic shrines around the world. She embraced new adventures and followed wherever her faith led. She belonged to the Confraternity of Mary and the Third Order Secular Franciscans and was a former member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Huntsville, Texas. Although she served in many volunteer roles, she found her funeral ministry especially meaningful. She had a special gift for comforting those in need and those experiencing sorrow.

Barbara would want everyone to know how deeply she loved and valued her family and all whose lives she touched. As a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, she felt richly blessed and looked forward to being with the Lord.

Our family is grateful to Brazos Valley Hospice, Dignity Memorial Funeral Home, the Watercrest community, Saint Joseph Catholic Church, the Arms of St. Francis Secular Franciscan Fraternity, and Right at Home for their love and support.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.