Myra Lee Housley Riley

Myra Lee Housley Riley was born on Sept. 28, 1940. After a blessed life, she was welcomed into Heaven on April 2, 2024. A friend to all, Myra Lee brightened every room with her energy, love, and warmth. She was the epitome of selfless love, and she cared deeply about her family and friends, who knew her to be a continual source of encouragement and support. Myra Lee grew up on a beautiful dairy farm in Riceville with her parents, Ernest Lee Housley and Johnny Millard Housley, and her brothers, John and Gale Housley. Myra Lee had many fond memories of her childhood on the farm and enjoyed recounting them with family, including her sisters-in-law, Nancy and Robin Housley. In middle school, she met her husband-to-be, Joel Craig Riley, and the two dated throughout high school and during her time at Berea College, where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics. Myra Lee and Joel got married as soon as her parents allowed, and the two have remained blissfully in love for 62 years. Myra Lee and Joel lived in Athens, where Myra Lee taught school for 22 years and raised two wonderful children, Joel Craig Riley II and Myra NanDora Riley Jenne. She adored her children and beamed with pride every time she talked about them, as well as her son-in-law, Mike Jenne, and daughter-in-law, Holly Riley. Myra Lee was "Granny" to five grandchildren and their spouses - Joseph and Rachel, Benjamin and Kathleen, Joshua, Myra Ashton, and Riley - and four great-grandchildren - Ida Mae, Jacob, Jonah, and Silas. She had an amazing way of making each of them feel incredibly special and loved. Myra Lee had an extraordinary talent for bringing people together. She loved hosting gatherings at her home and would often spend days cooking, gardening, and preparing. After every event, she always said, "It was a joy," and it was. Myra Lee leaves behind family and friends who are grateful to have been blessed by her warmhearted spirit, and they will miss her immensely. They will gather to celebrate her life in a worship service and will forego the receiving of friends on April 6 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Etowah. Pallbearers will be Joseph Riley, Benjamin Riley, Joshua Riley, Riley Jenne, Mike Jenne, Halen Housley, Rich Fabritious, and Ryan Mincey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to the McMinn County Education Foundation, P.O. Box 2, Athens, TN 37371-0002; or Camp Living Stones, 1534 County Road 876, Englewood, TN 37329. Sign the guest register at www.smithfuneralandcremationservicesofathens.com Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens is honored to serve the family of Myra Lee Housley Riley.