Katherine Branch Riley Bridgewater, Virginia Obituary

Katherine Branch Riley

Katherine Branch Riley, daughter of Fred and Iva Branch was born on October 20, 1923 in North, South Carolina. Katherine entered eternal rest on September 23, 2020. Katherine was raised in Columbia, South Carolina with the assistance of her grandmother Anna Augusta Mayes. She attended Carver Junior High School and Booker T. Washington High School. She met her husband, Seabron Fillmore Riley (who preceded her in death 2004) in high school and on December 20, 1940 they married. Katherine and Seabron were married for 63 years! In 1941, Katherine and Seabron relocated to Brooklyn, New York. Two years later, they started their family and were blessed with four children, Seabron Jr., Carolyn, Reggie and the late Barbara Riley Fields. Katherine was employed and retired as a Health Care Aide for the NYC Department of Social Services. Katherine enjoyed knitting, sewing, reading, bus trips, and spending time with her family. She particularly loved to play dominoes and was a force to be reckoned with while playing the game. Katherine was very active in the senior community. She served as Treasurer and Vice President of the Spring Creek Senior Citizen Center for several years. Katherine was full of love for her family and was considered the matriarch and glue of the family. She always took time to listen, provide wisdom, support and encouragement when needed. Year after year, Katherine and her family gathered at her house to celebrate with love, food, and fun and give thanks for one another. Katherine always said, “there is no family like the Rileys.” Katherine touched many lives and everyone who met her had only a kind word to say. Katherine was blessed with the spirit of giving and kindness. Her motto, “I am too blessed to be stressed” will forever remind her loved ones of how she reached the age of 96. The stories we will share and tell again are those of a woman who would light up a room when she entered. She will be deeply missed by all. Katherine leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memories, two sons, Seabron Riley Jr. (and wife Jackie) of Bridgewater, Virginia and Reggie Riley of Brooklyn New York; one daughter, Carolyn Marshall (and husband Bernard) of Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania; one sister, Lula Mae Washington; eleven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and dear friends. Pall Bearers Reggie Riley Michael Riley Saiquan Riley Tyrone Fields Corey Fields Corey Fields, Jr. Flower Bearers Deja Jenkins Tynisha Fields Ayannah Riley Camille Fields Layla Gray Lauryn Gray Nylah Johnson
October 20, 1923 - September 23, 202010/20/192309/23/2020
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Obituary

Katherine Branch Riley, daughter of Fred and Iva Branch was born on October 20, 1923 in North, South Carolina. Katherine entered eternal rest on September 23, 2020. Katherine was raised in Columbia, South Carolina with the assistance of her grandmother Anna Augusta Mayes. She attended Carver Junior High School and Booker T. Washington High School. She met her husband, Seabron Fillmore Riley (who preceded her in death 2004) in high school and on December 20, 1940 they married. Katherine and Seabron were married for 63 years! In 1941, Katherine and Seabron relocated to Brooklyn, New York. Two years later, they started their family and were blessed with four children, Seabron Jr., Carolyn, Reggie and the late Barbara Riley Fields. Katherine was employed and retired as a Health Care Aide for the NYC Department of Social Services. Katherine enjoyed knitting, sewing, reading, bus trips, and spending time with her family. She particularly loved to play dominoes and was a force to be reckoned with while playing the game. Katherine was very active in the senior community. She served as Treasurer and Vice President of the Spring Creek Senior Citizen Center for several years. Katherine was full of love for her family and was considered the matriarch and glue of the family. She always took time to listen, provide wisdom, support and encouragement when needed. Year after year, Katherine and her family gathered at her house to celebrate with love, food, and fun and give thanks for one another. Katherine always said, “there is no family like the Rileys.” Katherine touched many lives and everyone who met her had only a kind word to say. Katherine was blessed with the spirit of giving and kindness. Her motto, “I am too blessed to be stressed” will forever remind her loved ones of how she reached the age of 96. The stories we will share and tell again are those of a woman who would light up a room when she entered. She will be deeply missed by all. Katherine leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memories, two sons, Seabron Riley Jr. (and wife Jackie) of Bridgewater, Virginia and Reggie Riley of Brooklyn New York; one daughter, Carolyn Marshall (and husband Bernard) of Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania; one sister, Lula Mae Washington; eleven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and dear friends. Pall Bearers Reggie Riley Michael Riley Saiquan Riley Tyrone Fields Corey Fields Corey Fields, Jr. Flower Bearers Deja Jenkins Tynisha Fields Ayannah Riley Camille Fields Layla Gray Lauryn Gray Nylah Johnson

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Events

Sep
26
Funeral Service
Saturday, September 26 2020
03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Johnson Funeral Service - Bridgewater Location
208 South Main Street
Bridgewater, VA 22812
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