Violet Riley

Violet Bea Marsh Riley

1929 ~ 2018

Long Beach

Violet Bea Marsh Riley, of Long Beach, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2018.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack W. Riley; her parents, Herald and Thelma Marsh; her brother, Kenny Marsh; sister, Ivone Mallett (Vonnie); brother, Milo Marsh; and her granddaughter, Regina Camille Riley.

Violet is survived by her loving children, Michaelia Riley (daughter); her son-in-law; Larry Green; her grandsons, Michael Green; great-grandchildren, Zoey, Kaleb, and Keagan; her son, Mark Riley; grandchildren, Shane Riley (Kate Sellers), Devon, Emily, Josie; and great-grandchildren, Owen, Jack, and Emma; her son, J. Kevin Riley; daughter-in-law, Kim Riley; grandchildren, J. Kevin II, Lauren, Jeff, Ashley; great-grandchildren, Karson Taegan, Kohen, Brooks, Cameron, Landon, Emersyn; her brother, Harold Marsh (Fran); and sister, Beatrice Johnson (Dick).

Violet was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1966, the Riley family moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with their three children being born by this time. After arriving to the Gulf Coast, Violet and Jack, with her brother Milo, opened Milo's Pizza House. A year later, they opened Mr. Jack's Pizza. It was so popular, they opened several locations: Northwood Hills on US 49, Pass Road in Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, and Ocean Springs. They served homemade pizzas for ten years.

Violet was one of the first volunteers for Trent Lott's Campaigns. She then went on to work for Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District. She then went into the insurance business with Mutual of Omaha for the next 19 years of her long-lived life. In 1983 they opened Mr. Jack's Pawn on Broad Avenue in Gulfport with their two sons, Mark and Kevin. Six months later they acquired Long Beach Pawn. In 1988 they opened Mr. Jack's Pawn Two off of 28th Street and Highway 49, and soon after they relocated to a space on Highway 49 and renamed it Dad's Super Pawn. Violet was the CFO and the true backbone of all of the companies.

In 1991, Violet and Jack bought their first motor home, without the kid's knowledge. The next day jack and Violet handed the boys the keys and said "sink or swim, and send the rent check to this PO Box". They then traveled the country for eight years. Violet lived a great life, full of adventure and excitement with very few dull moments. She has the pleasure of traveling the world and country with her husband Jack.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina forever changed the course of the Riley family. After losing all but Dad's Super Pawn in Gulfport, they knew that they had to rebuild. Violet and her son Mark soon set out looking for a new location for Mr. Jack's Pawn and found a new home in Pascagoula, MS. Violet believed in the family, the family business, and the Gulf Coast and its future. Violet Riley and her family have donated to many charities, one of her favorites being the De L'Epee Deaf Center, where she sat on the board. She was also a member of Long Beach Carnival Association (back in the good ole days) and the Elks Lodge 978, where she became a member in 1986 (she served as Secretary, First Vice President, was named as Lady Elk in 2001, and Queen of Elks carnival crew in 1994).

She lived her remaining years happily at Bay Cove Assisted Living, where she's still playing Pecuino and betting on her beloved Saints!

She will remain "The Queen Bea" of this family forever.

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 3, 2018, from 10 am – 12 pm at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd., Long Beach, MS. The funeral service will be at 12 pm in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com