The Blessed Life of Elnora Riley

Elnora Riley was born on March 18, 1938, in Marion, Louisiana, to her loving parents Lewis George and Mittie Mae Burch. She was the second oldest of nine children: George, Clarice, Lue Annie, Robert (Sonny), Lee Arthur, Donna Mae, Joe Anne, and Rhoda. Elnora accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very young age at Mt. Union Baptist Church. She attended Marion Industrial High School.

On June 6, 1956, she was united in Holy Matrimony to Booker T. Riley. Shortly thereafter, the two moved to Culver City, California. Together they had four children: Clarence, Lenora, Cecelia, and Gregory. Later, the family moved to Pacoima, California, where Elnora joined Calvary Baptist Church of Pacoima in 1962. There, she faithfully served until the Lord called her home. During her years at Calvary Baptist Church, she was a devoted choir member and Sunday school teacher.

In her youth, Elnora worked picking cotton, a job she loved because it gave her the opportunity to befriend other children. She would give half of her earnings to her mother and spend the other half on ice cream. Throughout her life, she worked at Imperial Factory, diligently as a housekeeper, an LAUSD custodian, and a bookkeeper for Century National Insurance until her retirement in 2006.

Elnora loved playing basketball and baseball and was known to be a wonderful dancer. She found joy in baking cakes and preparing delicious Southern cuisine for those she loved. Her faith remained at the center of her life. She enjoyed attending church every Sunday, reading her Bible daily, and beginning each morning with prayer and devotion. Elnora loved her family and friends deeply and treasured every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made it a priority to check on, encourage, and support those she loved.

Preceding Elnora in passing were her parents, Lewis George and Mittie Mae Burch; her beloved husband, Booker T. Riley; her children, Clarence, Lenora, and Gregory Riley; her siblings, George Burch, Lue Annie Hamilton, Robert (Sonny) Burch, Lee Arthur Bolton, Donna Mae Stamps, and Joanne Bolton; and her great-grandson, Jeremiah Autrey.

Elnora leaves behind to cherish her memory; her daughter, Cecelia Harris (Fredrick); daughter-in-law, Cynthia Riley; seven grandchildren, Clarence Riley Jr., Candice Riley, Crystal Riley, Fredrick Harris III, Brittney Harris, Camille Riley, and Ryan Clark; eleven great-grandchildren, Naorni Riley, Clarence Riley III, Terrance Riley, Elijah Autrey, Devon Riley, Arnari Autrey, Jaidyn Riley, Ja’Niyah Shaw, Saiyah Youngblood, Donald Williams Jr., and Gianna Youngblood; her sisters, Clarice Smith and Rhoda Staggers; sisters-in-law, Claudine Burch and Shirley Burch; her best friend, Bee Joseph; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

Her love, faith, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to family will forever remain woven into the hearts of all who knew and loved her.