Bernice Craig Riley, 100, of Athens, died Sunday morning, December 27, 2015, at Morning Pointe of Athens.
She was a native of Union County, Tennessee, and was a longtime resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Mossie Witt Craig. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Riley, sisters, Doran Sharp and Rowena Evans.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens for 77 years. She attended Tennessee Wesleyan College and Carson Newman College and was associated with Athens City School System as a teacher for 25 years until her retirement. She was a member of the McMinn County Retired Teachers Association.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Joel C. and Myra Riley of Athens and William R. and Rebecca Riley of Lenoir City; two granddaughters, Kellie Calloway and Nan Jenne; three grandsons, William R. Riley,II, Robert C. Riley, and Dr. Joel Craig Riley II; a step granddaughter, Wendy Parker; a step grandson, Dean Parker; and fourteen great-grandchildren, Joseph Wedge Riley, Benjamin Craig Riley, Joshua Bryan Riley, Myra Ashton Jenne, Riley Everett Jenne, Bryan Calloway, Matthew Calloway, Anna Calloway, Quinn Riley, Liam Riley, Maddox Riley, Dylan Riley.
A private graveside service will be conducted, Monday, December 28, 2015, in Cedar Grove Cemetery with Dr. Jason Clark officiating.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Craig Riley, Lt. Joseph W. Riley, Benjamin Riley, Joshua Riley, William R. Riley, II, Ches Riley, Bryan Calloway, and Mike Jenne.
The family suggests memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Athens, 305 Ingleside Avenue, Athens, TN 37303; or Keith Memorial United Methodist Church-Nourish One Child Program, P.O. Box 1, Athens, TN 37371-0001.
This is a private graveside service, if you wish you may sign the guest register at www.smithfuneral&cremationservicesofathens.com.