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Visitation
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014
First United Methodist Church
Excelsior Springs, MO
10-11 a.m.
Services
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014
First United Methodist Church
Excelsior Springs, MO
11 a.m.
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Sabra Jean Whitley Riley
Sabra Jean Whitley Riley, 84, died on August 27, 2014 after a four month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jean was born April 5, 1930 to Virginia and Clarence Whitley in Monette, Ark. Jean was raised in Paragould, Ark., where she picked cotton every season until she graduated from high school. Jean graduated from Lakeside Consolidated High School in 1947 and was proud to be part of the girls’ basketball team. After graduation Jean attended business school where she earned a certification in bookkeeping and worked at the First National Bank of Paragould.
Jean married Laverl C. Riley September 4, 1949 in Paragould, Ark. To this union two children were born, son, Donald D. Riley and wife, Libby, and daughter, Diane L. Riley. Laverl passed away in January 2001.
Laverl and Jean moved to Missouri in 1952 due to his employment with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Moving first to Cameron, then to St. Joseph and finally settling in Excelsior Springs in April 1952.
While Jean lived in Excelsior Springs she worked at AVSCO Plastics as the office manager and bookkeeper. She also worked at United Super Grocery Store as an assistant manager and bookkeeper. Jean then was the manager of the Montgomery Ward store in Excelsior Springs for numerous years and retired from there in 1983.
Jean was a member of the First Baptist Church in Excelsior Springs, where she taught Sunday school and held other positions within the church. Jean had attended the First United Methodist Church for the past 13 years. She and Laverl were active members of the Good Sam RV Club. They loved traveling, camping and going to the Texas Valley for the winters. After Laverl passed away Jean worked as a volunteer for seven years at the Excelsior Springs Senior Center.
Jean is survived by her children and grandchildren, Brooke and husband, Jonathan Benson, Blair Riley, Bayli Riley and Clayton Shruga; and great grandson, Riley Benson.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Laverl; and brother, Dean Whitley.
Jean loved camping, wintering in Texas, fishing, sewing, cooking for her family and going to her grandchildren’s sporting and school events. Jean especially loved playing cards. Jean was involved in the Monday Study Club, the Hand and Foot Card group and the Thursday Card group. Jean was fortunate to have a very close relationship with a special group of ladies. These ladies traveled together, went to the Casinos, went out to eat and played cards every chance they got.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Excelsior Springs Assisted Living Facility. They took excellent care of our Mom above and beyond our expectations. The nursing staff provided unbelievable support and comfort to our mother during her stay and we can’t thank you enough.
We would also like to thank NorthCare Hospice for providing the excellent care that allowed our Mom to travel in her journey and pass in a dignified and pain free manner.
Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, Excelsior Springs, Mo., with a celebration of life service starting at 11 a.m. The family suggests memorial contributions to the NorthCare Hospice, North Kansas City, Mo.
Arrangements through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
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