Mr. Charles Vernon Riley of Tuckerman, Arkansas, departed this life on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at the age of 92 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born June 5, 1932 in Jackson County, the son of Oscar and Ida (Miller) Riley.
Mr. Riley, a proud United States Army veteran, dedicated his life to serving his community. After bravely serving during the Korean War, he returned to Tuckerman to establish himself as a local plumber in the Jackson County area. For over fifty years, from 1964 until his retirement at the age of 85, he provided plumbing services across the state. Known for his unwavering dedication, Mr. Riley was always willing to work around the clock, just to ensure his clients’ needs were met.
Mr. Riley was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Charles was an unwavering source of support for the entire Riley and Poole families, always ready to lend a helping hand whenever and wherever it was needed. He will be fondly remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, cherished papaw, and beloved brother by all whose lives he touched.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife of over 55 years, Rebecca Victoria (Poole) Riley; his second wife, Elwonda Baker Riley; an infant son, Charles Raymond Riley; two sisters, Imogene Milligan and Ruby Dean; five brothers, Silas Riley, Oscar Lee Riley, J.C. Riley, Edward “Peck” Riley, and Larry Riley; and his parents.
He is survived by his children, Keith Riley and wife, Cheryl, of Jonesboro, Perry Riley and wife, Lisa, of Tuckerman, and Charlene Stapleton and husband, Doug, of Tuckerman; his grandchildren, Rebecca Orr and husband, Wally, Joel Riley and wife, Bridget, Ashlee Foster and husband, Shawn, Amanda Fortenberry and husband, Jason, Brynn Bowen and husband, Mitch, and Brian Stapleton and wife, Jody; his great-grandchildren, Charles Orr and wife, Emma, Abagail Orr, Jamison Fortenberry and wife, Madi, Anna Fortenberry, Ellis Riley, Nolan Riley, Noah Riley and wife, Victoria, Ben Bowen, Peyton Stapleton, Harper Stapleton, Mack Riley Foster; one great-great-grandchild, Cylus Fortenberry, and one on the way, due any day, Leo Orr. Also surviving are one sister, Hilda Bradley of Walnut Ridge, and three brothers, Alvis “Bo” Riley, Donald Riley, and Doyle Riley, all of Tuckerman; several nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit at the funeral home, Wednesday, August 21, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services are 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel, with “The Whippoorwill” Preacher, Jason Sullivan officiating. The interment will be at Gracelawn Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Joey Riley, Charlie Orr, Brian Stapleton, Jamison Fortenberry, Noah Riley, Ben Bowen, and Peyton Stapleton. Wayne Milligan will be an honorary pallbearer.
The family requests memorials to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 72, Newport, AR 72112, or the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews, Jonesboro, AR 72401.
