A CELEBRATION OF LIFE



Elizabeth Riley-Lewis was born January 30, 1930 to the parents of Ghent Riley, Sr. and Lizzie Stith Riley in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Coahoma County.  Elizabeth was the granddaughter of John Riley and Indiana Cason Riley and John Stith and Laura Chapman Benson Stith.  She was the great granddaughter of Louis Chapman.  Elizabeth was the great-granddaughter of Lucy Stith and the great granddaughter of Mary Daniels and the great-great granddaughter of Caroline Daniels.  Elizabeth was preceded in death by both parents, twelve brothers and sisters—John, Kenneth (K.T.), Gipson, Eddie, Ghent, Jr., S. T., Odeal, Joanna, Laura, Nettie, Melissa, and Maybelle.  Elizabeth, affectionately known as “Doll”, was the thirteenth and youngest child of Ghent Riley, Sr., and Lizzie Stith Riley.



Aunt “Doll” grew up in the Mississippi Delta in the town of Friars Point.  Aunt Doll was soft spoken and she always had a beautiful smile.  She grew up in a Christian home and she attended Mt. Ary Missionary Baptist Church, Clarksdale, MS and New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, Friars Point, MS.  She was a Christian and accepted Christ at an early age in Mississippi. As a young adult, Aunt Doll married Harry Lewis and moved to Chicago, IL.



Aunt “Doll’s steps were ordered by God.  Aunt Doll was an Angel sent by God with an earthly mission; She had a meaningful and purposeful life.  Aunt Doll’s mission was to be a mother to many children.  Aunt Doll was a woman of faith, courage and love.  In 1961, Aunt Doll’s sister Nettie died at an early age from leukemia.  Nettie had seven children, three boys and four girls.  Aunt Doll became the mother of her sister Nettie’s daughters, rearing and caring for her nieces in Chicago.  Aunt Doll stood tall; she was courageous, strong, kind, and loving.    She was admired and respected by family and friends; she showed her love in every way possible.  Aunt Doll left her family a remarkable heritage and legacy.  She was blessed by God to become the mother, grandmother, great grandmother to many children.   Elizabeth is a Biblical name.  Her name was becoming to her character and the role that God gave to her in life.  Elizabeth “Doll” Riley Lewis was blessed and highly favored by God.  Aunt Doll was an outstanding woman and we call her BLESSED.  “Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates”.  Proverbs 31:31



Aunt Doll departed this life on Friday, April 10, 2020.  She leaves to cherish her memory he nieces who became her daughters:  Shirley Hutcherson (California); Katherine Sparks (Chicago); Joyce Davis (Theodore) (Broadview); and Annette Hasell (Wayne) (Indianapolis); 11 grandchildren,  29 great grandchildren; 13 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.



Written by her niece Johnnie Mae Riley-Ashford