Dr. Mary Riley

Dr. Mary Jean (Kern) Riley entered into the presence of her Lord on September 13th, 2022.

Mary was the third of five children born to parents Carl and Effie Kern on December 17th 1939,  in Honor, MI.

Mary attended Highland Elementary School and Milford High School where she graduated in 1958.  She enrolled at Midwestern Baptist College in Pontiac, MI, where she majored in Biblical Studies and Mathematics. While there, she met and fell in love with Jerry Kenneth Riley. The couple married on August 12th, 1961 and settled into a garage apartment in Warren, MI.

In November of 1962, Mary gave birth to their first child, a baby girl. Over the next ten years, they moved to Hazel Park and then Madison Heights, MI. They also expanded their family with four more children.

In 1974, the family moved to Converse, TX., where Mary held various administrative and bookkeeping positions, all while raising a family alongside her husband Jerry. Amidst family and work, Mary found time to complete her Masters in Business Administration and a Doctoral degree in Christian Education.

Mary was also very civic minded and believed it was her Christian duty to make her community a better place.  She served on nearly a dozen committees and commissions over the years, and even served as a City Councilmember.  Mary loved the Lord.  She was a long-time member of New Life Baptist Church.  For over 50 years, Mary's greatest joy was working with Children's ministries.  Mary's hobbies include reading, flower design and arrangements, collecting cows, and of course, those beautiful high- heeled shoes.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Effie Kern; sister Marion Gladkowski; and two brothers, Carl Kern, Jr. and Victor Kern.

Mary is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Jerry Kenneth Riley; two daughters, Melodee Powers (Bill), and Cindee Dupaquier (Dale) ; three sons, Victor Riley, Vincent Riley(Penny), and Jerry "Kenny" Riley II, (Gloria); many grandchildren and great grandchildren; one sister, Luella Slocum; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family would like you to donate to New Life Cancer Support Team in care of New Life Baptist Church, 101 North Street, Converse, Texas. Point of Contact is Phillip Barrigan and Erin Barrigan.