Carolyn Margaret Riley, aka Mom, Granny, Sis, Aunt
Carolyn, passed away peacefully at her home in Bellmead, TX on December 10,
2020. Carolyn was born in Spokane, Washington on February 17, 1934 to Elmer
Delbert Richardson and Lucille Weaver Richardson. She was raised by her mother
and loving second father, Clyde Kuykendall.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe Cavender Riley;
sister, Charlene Kosanke; sister, Dorene Struchen; brother, Gary Richardson;
daughters, Judith Anne Beldin and Sherri Riley Holloman; and the loving father
of her children, Kenneth Maurice Beldin.
Carolyn is survived by daughter, Diana (Tom)
Sprott; son, Kenneth Michael (Jo Lynn) Beldin; daughter, Susan Campbell;
daughter, Lisa (Robert) Warren; daughter, Karen (Sam) Hendricks; daughter Mary
Ann Riley; sister, Claudia (Jerry) O'Connor; and brother Chuck (Sandra)
Kuykendall.
She was a loving Granny and Great-Granny to Garrett
Sprott, Grant (Leah) Sprott, Cody (Sara) Campbell (Davis and Ezra), Joshua
Campbell (Cannon and Kinlee), Justin (Amanda) McLean (Braydin, Alyssa, Calli
Mae), Paige (James) Bailey (Riley, Blaze, Reed), Cassie Chaney, Mike (Susanne)
Wills (Alyssa and Jacob), Melanie (JP) Eaker (Hannah and Holly), Wendi Windrow
(Stephan, Kevin, and Gavin), Misti Murphy, Casey Switzer (Michael and Savannah)
and an Aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.
When Carolyn wasn't busy raising children, she
was working as a nurse or volunteering at her church. She spent 35+ years working as a nurse,
finishing her career at Providence Hospital, where she was one of the nurses
that helped open the Cardiac unit at the new hospital, she was well known and
admired. In her retirement, she was
active within the Salvation Army Waco Corp where she for many years played a
baritone horn in the band, worked with the youth, volunteered at the VA
Hospital, worked the annual Christmas toy drive and much more. Carolyn made a profession of faith at the
young age of eleven and for 75 years was a faithful member of the Salvation
Army except for a three-year period spent in Tokyo, Japan and three years in
Morocco, North Africa, during her husband's tours of duty with the United
States Air Force, where she attended the Protestant services on the base.
Mom loved attending any activity her
grandchildren and/or great-grandchildren were involved in ranging from T-Ball,
baseball, football and/or soccer to band or dance recitals. Anywhere her
grandchildren/great-grandchildren where is where she preferred to be.
Mom was a strong, determined and fiercely
independent woman. We will miss her every day.
.
Special thanks to the wonderful doctors and
nurses at Providence Hospital, then subsequently Providence Hospice that
provided Mom with excellent care and love in her final days. A heartfelt thanks
to mom's niece Jeanette Routh who assisted the family in their hour of need.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 13,
2020 from 2:00-4:00. A Promotion to Glory Service will be Monday, December 14,
2020 at 1:00, both will be at the Bellmead Funeral Home, 809 Laclede, Bellmead,
TX. Interment will follow at the Axtell Cemetery, 274 N. 4th Street,
Axtell, TX 76624
COVID-19 protocol will be followed, and a mask
will be required.
The family is requesting that in lieu of
flowers memorials be given to the Waco Salvation Army Food Bank, 4721 W. Waco
Drive, Waco, TX 76710; Providence
Hospice, 6700 Sanger Avenue, Waco, TX
76710; or a charity of your choice.
Condolences(15)
Robert Passmore
Waco, TX Thursday, December 17, 2020 God bless you all , she will be missed .But what a great angel she will make . Rest In Peace in Gods arms !!Rose Mary Munos
waco, TX Monday, December 14, 2020 I want to give my condolences. I remember your mom as a good nurse who took care of her patients and would do the extras for them. She also had a generous heart and would help anyone who needed it .I am sorry I was unable to attend the visitation or funeral due to having covid pneumonia.Rose Mary
Johnny Richardson
Corsicana, TX Monday, December 14, 2020 Karen and family :I wpuld.like yo take the opportunity to send mine and rhondas sincere sadness for your family.
Johnny Richardson
Corsicana, TX Monday, December 14, 2020Tami Machac
Groesbeck, TX Monday, December 14, 2020 We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with your family at this time.Bobby and Tami Machac
Ray Richardson
McKinney, TX Monday, December 14, 2020 Carolyn was a lady that brightened any room and made everyone that met her a better person.She leaves a beautiful legacy in Diana, Sue, Lisa, Karen and Mike and a multitude of grandchildren!
R.I.P
Love Ray Richardson (cousin)
Suzanne Vannucci
SAN FRANCISCO, CA Sunday, December 13, 2020 My condolences to Carolyn's family and friends. If you happened to be fortunate enough to have known her, you will smile and remember a strong-willed woman with a heart as big as Texas. RIP. xoxoSuzy
Carolyn riley
Waco, TX Sunday, December 13, 2020 My prayers are going up for the family. Love you all lindaharrisRay & Jackie
Woodway, TX Sunday, December 13, 2020Edna Kendrick
, AL Saturday, December 12, 2020 Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. May you all find comfort in knowing she will always be looking from above. Sending loveMaryAnne Tyler Finch
Trinity, TX Saturday, December 12, 2020 Diana & family,I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Mother. I had the pleasure of meeting her years ago. I remember stories you shared with me about your Mom. She is finally resting and looking down on your family with love. A family of which she is gloriously proud. My condolences to you and your family. My prayers are with you all.
Diana Resendez
Waco, TX Saturday, December 12, 2020 Mrs. Carolyn will be truly missed. She loved and was loved by everyone who knew her and was a blessing to have had in our lives. We want to thank her children for sharing her with us. We love you Mrs. Carolyn. You've been promoted to glory and so your work here on earth has ended and you can now rest.Cindy
China Spring, TX Saturday, December 12, 2020 First, my word of forever gratitude to "Mom" for being there many times when I needed reassurance, support, and rock-steady backbone... not only for me, but my youngest as well. Next, to the family, my friends I hold dear as well, my heart hurts, yet I know she's in her happy place, her mansion in the sky with the Lord. Her life is a celebration. All my love, CindyAngie and Calvin Baker
Axtell, TX Saturday, December 12, 2020 Lisa,Sue, and all the FamilySo Sorry for the loss of your Mom and Grandma. Carolyn was a sweet Lady. She was dedicated to Nursing. I always enjoy talking to her about Nursing and her experiences!! Thoughts and Prayers for all of U at the loss of Your Family Member. Love Angie Baker
April Taylor
McGregor, TX Saturday, December 12, 2020 A precious Soldier of The Salvation Army! Waco will not forget the amazing work that you did in the Board of Prisons program and the in the souls of the families who were touched by your ministry.We are so happy for you as you have received a long awaited reward!
Blessings to the family who will always be a member of our Corps family.