Rita Carole Martin Riley, 83, passed away peacefully in the afternoon of Wednesday June 19, 2024 surrounded by her loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bobby Riley, Sr. Honored to cherish her memory are her children, Jeffery Riley and girlfriend, Joy Yoshizawa, Carole and Dennis Wymer, and Bobby Riley, Jr. and girlfriend Janet Doyle; grandchildren, Megan Rucker and fiancé, Coleman Duty, Ryan Riley, Jesse Riley, Miyah Riley, and Noah Riley; great-granddaughter, Riley Rucker; sisters, Peggy Bray and Shirley Crotts; brothers, Freddy, Bobby-Wayne, and Sonny Martin; and many nieces and nephews.
Rita was born in Botetourt County on June 12, 1941 to James Forrest Martin and Julia Petty Martin. She grew up in Buchanan and spent her childhood years playing with her brothers and sisters at their family home on Lowe Street. She met the love of her life at 16 years old. Rita married Bobby Riley, Sr. on New Year’s Eve in 1958. Bobby and Rita shared a loving and wonderful marriage, spending all of their short 53 years together, always by each other’s side. We can only imagine their heavenly reunion and find comfort in knowing they are together again. Throughout the years, Rita enjoyed family camping trips, summer beach travels, and spoiling her grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Rita will be lovingly remembered as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She enjoyed her favorite pastimes of painting, crafts, and playing (and always winning) family card games, Yahtzee, and Scrabble. Rita was the heart of the Riley family and will be greatly missed. Though we may always wish for more time, her family is grateful and blessed to have had so many wonderful years and memories together.
The family received friends on Sunday, June 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Home. Rita’s funeral service was on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home with Pastor Michael Tabor officiating. Interment was in Fairview Cemetery, Buchanan. Those wishing to make a contribution, please consider Mt. Joy Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 697, Buchanan, 24066. Online condolences may be made at www.botetourtfuneralhome.com or 540-254-3000.
