Kathleen Agnes Logan Riley Graveside services for Kathleen Agnes Logan Riley will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Pine Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Brother Michael Beasley officiating. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Riley, age 92, of Palm Bay, Florida, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2015 at E.T. York Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida. She was born on May 18, 1923 in Laurel, MS and raised on a farm near Hickory, MS. She attended Hickory High School where she excelled in all of her subjects. She was especially fond of Literature. For field meet, her teachers would compete to see which subject Kathleen would represent. Miss Bessie, her English teacher, would always win. She was also athletic, playing guard on the Hickory basketball team. Her interest included writing poetry, starting at age 10, and painting with water colors. She was a self-taught poet, writer, historian, and antique finisher. In 1985 Kathleen entered only one writing competition, which she won in a big way. She was the first place winner in the free verse division and second runner up in the Florida theme short story division. Mrs. Riley, who was not a member of the organization, was in competition with more than 600 writers from all over the country. "I never entered a contest before because I just didn't have time, I have been too busy raising my family" explained Mrs. Riley, who was the mother of five daughters. Mrs. Riley speaks with pride about her family and always placed education as a high priority in the rearing of their daughters. Kathleen was very involved in Alssoa, (an organization that helps amyotrophic victims and families), because her family history included the disease (her mother and sister in particular), and that was why she was sympathetic with all people touched by it. She was known to be a kind, generous, and loving person, and always saw the good in people. Survivors include her five daughters, Callie Anne Riley, Elizabeth Joy Riley Jones, Marte Logan Grawoig, April Elaine Riley and Carla Lee Riley; nephews, Mark Garrett and Bill Garrett (Jill) and their son, Ben; nieces, Lydia McIntosh and her son, Nathan, Susan Spano, and Clara Wilson; and special cousin, Katie M. Sanders. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Joseph Riley; parents, Carlton Lucian Logan and Caroline Felicia Nix Logan; brother, Jamie Carlton Logan; sisters, Margueritte Virginia Logan Garrett and Edith Vermeil Logan; her beloved aunt, Ruby Gandy Nix; and grandson, Paul Reed Taylor. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.
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