Genevia Riley

Genevia Glasper Riley was born on January 1,1942 to Clementine Bell Stephens and Lloyd Stephens, both of whom preceded her in death. When her mother passed away at a very young age, Genevia was adopted by her maternal grandmother, Ovetter Glasper along with her younger sister Patricia and her brother Lloyd II.

Genevia was educated through the Cincinnati Public School System, attending Stowe Elementary School, Porter Junior High School and Taft High School, where she was a cheerleader and played in the band. She worked at Christ Hospital while attendingTaft High School - later graduating in 1960. She then went on to attend the University of Cincinnati, and worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland - Cincinnati Branch.

Genevia accepted Christ at an early age, joining New Hope Baptist Church where her grandfather John Murdell Stephens was the pastor. New Hope Baptist Church was located first on 7th Street in Cincinnati and later relocated to Harvey Avenue. While a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, she participated in several ministries including singing in the Inspirational Choir.

She met her husband, James E. Riley while in high school and they were later married in July 1962. One child was born to their union, Karen L. Riley. In 1965, Genevia started working at the Internal Revenue Service in Covington, KY. She was employed there for many years until she retired in 1978.

She and her husband James relocated from Cincinnati, Ohio to St. Charles, Missouri, where they joined First Baptist Church of Chesterfield. From there, they moved to Oxford, Michigan and finally to Mansfield, Texas. She and her husband joined Bethlehem Baptist Church in 2007.

Genevia had a magnetic personality, and never met a stranger. She loved the Lord and was a true woman of God. Always ready to lend a helping hand, a listening ear or give a beautiful genuine smile. She adored her loving daughter, who she taught to love and reverence the Lord. Her doting husband of 53 years James, was her heart and they had a special bond that will last throughout eternity.

Genevia was preceded in death by her siblings, Patricia Glasper and Lloyd Lonnie Stephens.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband James Emmett Riley; Her daughter, Karen Lynette Riley; Sisters, Betty Woody (Robert) and Sabrina Stephens; In addition she has four special nieces, Venesia Glasper Turner (Bernard), Zipporah Turner, Tamar Fennell and Candace Smith; As well as six special nephews, Robert Woody, Jr. and Jonathan Woody; Michael Lamar James Haywood (Sherry); Clifford Fennell, Steven Glasper and Sean Abernathy; and a host of other family including sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.