Gloriasteen Riley

Gloriasteen Pruitt Riley was welcomed into the world on April 9, 1960 by her parents,the late Joe Solomn Pruitt Sr. and Etta Mae Watson Pruitt. She was the youngest daughter and eleventh child of fourteen children, eight boys and six girls. Six siblings preceded her in death, Jim Arthur (infant), George L. Pruitt, Joe S. Pruitt II, Otto L. Pruitt, Douglas N. Pruitt, Margisteen P. Rodgers and Willie J. Pruitt. One step brother, Alvin Bryant, also preceded her in death.

Gloriasteen Pruitt Riley accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Dean Hill MB Church. While a member, she served in many capacities. She was a member of Cedar Grove MB Church in Sallis, MS at the time of her transition. She joined Cedar Grove as a young adult after marrying her husband, Henry Lee Riley. Gloriasteen served Cedar Grove faithfully as the Vacation Bible School Director, Youth Director, Sunrise Service and Easter Program Coordinator and choir member. She served as the Church’s lead kitchen host for many events.

Gloriasteen was a proud graduate of Horn Lake High School’s class of 1978. She attended Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Ms. She was both a proud Horn Lake Eagle and Coahoma Community College Tigers alumnus.

Gloriasteen’s gift was service and she passionately served professionally in many dietary capacities for healthcare and education systems. In her lifetime, she served as a cook, assistant dietary manager and Certified Dietary Manager.

Gloriasteen was united in holy matrimony to Henry Lee Riley. He preceded her in death.

Gloriasteen loved watching action movies, cooking and spending time with her immediate and extended family. She loved hosting family members in her home. Family member referred to her as a great hostess.

Gloriasteen followed in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a member of The Order of the Eastern Star.

Gloriasteen Pruitt Riley leaves cherished legacy with all who knew and loved her. She was the devoted and loving mother of three children: Antonio LaCheal Riley, Marquita Deshaundra Riley Thurman and Camille Shanice (Alexander ) Riley-Smith. She adored her grandchildren: Khalil Keyshawn Brown, Aniyah Jantae Riley, Miniya Asha Thurman, Amarion Xavier Riley, Caden Amizea Smith, Amare Riley Thurman (infant), Alanna Micah Smith, and Benjamin Alexander Smith. She treasured the time spent as a caregiver to her great grandchildren, the “KK’s”: Kareem Olijah Brown and Karmen Elaina Fulton. Gloriasteen was a loving sister to four sisters: Dorothy Jean Wilkerson of Nesbit, MS; Jimmy Ella Pruitt of Lake Cormorant, MS; Patricia Nell Hardrick of Olive Branch, MS; and Annie Lee ( Josiah Barnes ) of Memphis, TN. She was a loving sister to two brothers Clarence ( Francine) Pruitt of Lake Cormorant, MS and Rodney Pernel Pruitt of Lake Cormorant, MS. She was a loving sister-in-law to Delores Pruitt Hearn of Memphis, TN; Faye Burt of Saginaw, MI; Linda ( Rodney) Robinson of Saginaw, MI and Charles ( Sheverna) Burt of Saginaw, MI. She was adored by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She held a close, maternal relationship with Charles “Lil Charles” Evans of Milwaukee, WI.

A visitation for Gloriasteen will be held Friday, November 10, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Winters Funeral Home, 325 Fenwick St, Kosciusko, MS 39090. A visitation will occur Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Dean Hill Baptist Church, 5100 Dean Rd, Mississippi, MS 38651. A funeral service will occur Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Dean Hill Baptist Church, 5100 Dean Rd, Mississippi, MS 38651. A committal service will occur Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Dean Hill Baptist Church, 5100 Dean Rd, Mississippi, MS 38651.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mjedwards.com for the Riley family.