Leyda Rivera-Rios

Leyda suffered a stroke in October 2011. She had a strong spirit that kept her cheerful despite her many physical hardships.

Leyda was born in Puerto Rico to Aurelia Rivera-DeJesus and Felipe Marchany on May 15, 1933. As a small child she moved to New York. She met her husband, Luis Enrique Rios-Caro in 1950. They had three children, Luis E. Rios, Michael A. Rios and Denise Rios-Whitley.

Leyda lived in New York until 1993 then moved to Florida to be closer to her daughter Denise. She moved in 2004 to Raleigh, NC where her son Luis and daughter Denise both live. Her son Michael lives in Puerto Rico.

While residing in Florida she was a very advanced ballroom dancer, one of her many passions in life. She spent the bulk of her career working for Iberia Airlines from 1962 until she retired in 1988. She had the wonderful opportunity to travel the world, another one of her many passions. She loved going to the movies, bowling and spending time with her friends and family.

As a resident of Raleigh, on her first visit to Crossroads Fellowship she found the Lord, maintained a loyal membership and was baptized on August 3, 2008. Her life verse read: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”. Psalm 46:1 Attending church became her most important passion in life. She was a very active member, assisted with dinners on Wednesday nights and was a member of the Ambassador Class and developed a strong love and care for her church friends.

Her three children, Luis, Michael and Denise and son-in-law Michael Whitley survive Leyda.

A memorial service will be held at Crossroads Fellowship, 2721 E Milbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27604 on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 3:00 pm.