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Ruth Riley Obituary
Dunnellon- Ruth Riley, 86, died Thursday, May 26, 2011, in Dunnellon, Florida under the loving and generous care of Hampton Manor West and Odyssey hospice. She was born May 9, 1925 in Citrus County, just outside of Dunnellon. Ruth was the youngest of four daughters born to E.J. and Myrtle Jones. She lived most of her life in Dunnellon, with a 7-year stay during her childhood in Savannah, Georgia. Ruth graduated from Dunnellon High and from Florida State College for Women (FSCW)/Florida State University (FSU) in 1947. Ruth had a long career in the Dunnellon schools teaching elementary, high school, and as a high school librarian. Upon her retirement she enjoyed reading, traveling, playing bridge and being with friends and family. Ruth was active in her church 1st United Methodist of Dunnellon and with the public library in Dunnellon and Marion County. She often spoke to clubs and school groups about Dunnellon history and her book, "Memories of Rainbow Springs." Predeceased by her husband, Robert Riley, Sr. and by her sisters (Nelle Sease, Frances Porter, and E.D. Spivey) Ruth is survived by daughters Sheridan and Alison Riley of Dunnellon and son Robert Riley, Jr. and his wife Kristen of Gainesville. Ruth is also survived by 3 beloved granddaughters, Laura, Claire and Erin. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her honor to the Friends of the Dunnellon Public Library or the 1 United Methodist Church of Dunnellon. Ruth has donated her body to the University of Florida medical school. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
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Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Riley
June 9, 2011
Mrs. Riley "WAS" the library at DHS and she didn't miss a thing!....always vibrant and positive. She has touched thousands of lives and all of us who knew her respected and loved her. What a legacy! You children, Sheridan, Allison and Bobby have had a mother to cherish and be so proud of! God Bless You and know she "made a difference" in the world! Dunnellon has lost a "treasure" of a human being! Judy Faye Cannon
June 3, 2011
It's been a long time since I have heard her name, having moved from the area over 46 years ago. However, I do remember her kindness, helpfulness and sweetness. Jim (James) Hunter
Alison Riley
June 1, 2011
Thanks all for the wonderful words about Mom. A memorial service will be June 18 at 9am at the Dunnellon Methodist church.
Cindy Fowler Head
May 31, 2011
Sheridan & Family: Your mother always had an encouraging smile and patient manner about her. I always had such great respect for her, both as a teacher and mother. I am sad that our early mentors, role models, and caring teachers of our high school years are passing on, but I remember them all with great love and affection. May the wonderful memories of sharing Ruth's life comfort you. ~ Cindy Fowler Head - Class of '71
Laurie Owens
May 31, 2011
Sheridan, Alison and Bobby: Your mother was a mainstay in the Dunnellon community forever! I will always remember her grace, humor, advice and wisdom. She was very special and I will miss her!
Sincerely,
Laurie
Dave Hartley
May 31, 2011
Great friend and colleague, not to mention parent of two of my students. Her help to a new teacher, and riotous sense of humor (she cracked up many faculty meetings with a single quip) will never be forgotten.
Mary Raulerson Brassell
May 30, 2011
To the Riley Family, Ruth was my teacher in 1949 and 1950, she was a wonderful teacher and friend, we attended the Methodist Church together and had our daughters at the same time(Sheridan and Donnell). I will always love her and how much fun we had in school. She was my homeroom teacher and English teacher, she had the boys loving Shakespeare. God Bless you all.
Sonny Chesterfield
May 29, 2011
Mrs Riley came into my life in 1950 when I attended DHS. She was one of those teachers that you always remember with fornd memories. Our prayers are with all of her family. class 1953
Bill Gunter
May 29, 2011
I can remember when "Miss Ruthie" was still teaching at Dunnellon school. There was not anything there but a two story red brick structure, and Gym. She taught and coached everyone on almost everything, aside being the Libraian. I also cannot recall anyone in Dunnellon that had a negative thought about her. She was a friend to anyone she met. A Christian lady who will be missed by many. She will carry on in Heaven as within our hearts. She loved everyone, and everyone loved her.
Cindy Nelson-Oates '79
May 29, 2011
Sheridan,
I will always remember your mother's
smiling face when kids would walk into
her library at DHS. She touched so many lives and will be missed by many.
Karen (Green) Townsend Class of '70
May 29, 2011
Mrs. Riley was a wonderful person and she will be truly missed by all. She touched so many people during her life just by sharing her knowledge and sense of humor. Teachers like her are one in a million.
Connie (Dreblow) Magnone
May 28, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
May 28, 2011
Ruth was a long time family friend and Dunnellon has loss one of the Historian's of this area. We will all miss her warm smile and loving personality. To her family, we know you will miss her and cherish all those past moments. Know that she was loved by many and we too will always hold her close to our hearts and carry her memory with us....Stan and Gail Stephens
THE HOLT'S
May 28, 2011
MRS. RILEY WAS A POSITIVE WOMAN WITH A LOT OF POSITIVE MOTIVATION TOWARDS ALL SHE CAME IN CONTACT WITH. SHE WILL BE TRULY MISSED BY ALL.
May 27, 2011
Mrs. Ruth was a mother to us all. Thanks goes to her for being in my life. Please inform us on later services. Sorry for our loss, Jimmy Brown class of 1973
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