Ellen Carolyn Carns Riley

Ellen Carolyn Carns Riley, the youngest of 8 children, was born on January 16, 1922 to Walter B. Carns and Elizabeth Jane Carns in Lydia, South Carolina. Mrs. Riley, honor graduate of Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina, married Lee Harold Riley in June 1942 and moved to Macon, Georgia in 1946 after his service in the US Army during WWII.

Carolyn became a teacher of preschool children with multiple disabilities at one of the first schools of special education in Macon opened in 1952 at First Baptist Church and later as a separate wing of T.D. Tinsley school. During her career she was cited for Distinguished Service in 1969 by the Georgia Federation Council for Exceptional Children and was named Teacher of the Year in 1978 by the Council for Exceptional Children and in 1983 by the Bibb County Board of Education where she was honored for completing 31 years of dedicated, loyal, and committed service to the Bibb County Public school system.

A member of Ingleside United Methodist Church since 1948, Mrs. Riley served as a Sunday School teacher, member of the Chancel Choir, member of the Wesleyan Guild, Director of the Pre-School Committee, and in her later years as “The Story Lady” reading to preschool aged youngsters weekly. She was a devoted Christian who was recognized as a “Quiet Disciple” for her service to her church and community.

Mrs. Riley is preceded in death by her husband Lee Harold Riley in January 1980. She is survived by her daughters, Gail Riley Everidge and Jan Riley Jones, granddaughter Leigh Ellen Brady Aldhizer, great grandson Andrew Ward Aldhizer, and great-great grandson Andrew Aden Aldhizer – all of Macon, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in South Carolina.

In her college years she enjoyed playing gymnastics and basketball. Later, she was a member of the Northwoods Garden Club, enjoyed bird watching, playing cards, and loved animals. She was kind, giving, and welcoming to all people. She loved life, her family and her cats. She will be missed by all who knew her.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held on Thursday, February 4 at 2 p.m. at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street with Dr. Michael Forbes officiating. The family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until service time. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, will be in charge of arrangements.