Mary Lou Riley Smith, the daughter of Charles and Esther Mae Riley (Mullikin), passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2023, surrounded by people who loved and cared deeply for her. She was 92 years old. Mary Lou was predeceased by her husband, Edgar (Buddy) Thomas Smith, on October 31, 1984.
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on May 3, 1931, Mary Lou graduated from Pine Bluff High School and actively participated in student politics, serving on the Student Council. On November 7, 1954, she married Buddy in Pine Bluff, where they embarked on their life journey together. Over the years, they lived in various locations across the United States before settling in Springfield, Missouri, in 1972.
Despite the unconventional nature of pursuing her undergraduate degree in her early 40s, Mary Lou achieved this feat during the 1970s. She went on to earn her master's degree with honors from SMSU (now Missouri State University) and pursued courses towards her Ph.D. at the University of Missouri. From 1976 to 1996, Mary Lou dedicated 20 years of her life to teaching high school English and Honors English at Parkview High School.
Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Maria McAfee. She is preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Riley Reichard of Pennsylvania, as well as Charles Riley and Mickey Riley Welch.
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on May 3, 1931, Mary Lou graduated from Pine Bluff High School and actively participated in student politics, serving on the Student Council. On November 7, 1954, she married Buddy in Pine Bluff, where they embarked on their life journey together. Over the years, they lived in various locations across the United States before settling in Springfield, Missouri, in 1972.
Despite the unconventional nature of pursuing her undergraduate degree in her early 40s, Mary Lou achieved this feat during the 1970s. She went on to earn her master's degree with honors from SMSU (now Missouri State University) and pursued courses towards her Ph.D. at the University of Missouri. From 1976 to 1996, Mary Lou dedicated 20 years of her life to teaching high school English and Honors English at Parkview High School.
Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Maria McAfee. She is preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Riley Reichard of Pennsylvania, as well as Charles Riley and Mickey Riley Welch.
Mary Lou Riley Smith, the daughter of Charles and Esther Mae Riley (Mullikin), passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2023, surrounded by people who loved and cared deeply for her. She was 92 years old. Mary Lou was predeceased by her husband, Edgar (Buddy) Thomas Smith, on October 31, 1984.
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on May 3, 1931, Mary Lou graduated from Pine Bluff High School and actively participated in student politics, serving on the Student Council. On November 7, 1954, she married Buddy in Pine Bluff, where they embarked on their life journey together. Over the years, they lived in various locations across the United States before settling in Springfield, Missouri, in 1972.
Despite the unconventional nature of pursuing her undergraduate degree in her early 40s, Mary Lou achieved this feat during the 1970s. She went on to earn her master's degree with honors from SMSU (now Missouri State University) and pursued courses towards her Ph.D. at the University of Missouri. From 1976 to 1996, Mary Lou dedicated 20 years of her life to teaching high school English and Honors English at Parkview High School.
Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Maria McAfee. She is preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Riley Reichard of Pennsylvania, as well as Charles Riley and Mickey Riley Welch.
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on May 3, 1931, Mary Lou graduated from Pine Bluff High School and actively participated in student politics, serving on the Student Council. On November 7, 1954, she married Buddy in Pine Bluff, where they embarked on their life journey together. Over the years, they lived in various locations across the United States before settling in Springfield, Missouri, in 1972.
Despite the unconventional nature of pursuing her undergraduate degree in her early 40s, Mary Lou achieved this feat during the 1970s. She went on to earn her master's degree with honors from SMSU (now Missouri State University) and pursued courses towards her Ph.D. at the University of Missouri. From 1976 to 1996, Mary Lou dedicated 20 years of her life to teaching high school English and Honors English at Parkview High School.
Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Maria McAfee. She is preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Riley Reichard of Pennsylvania, as well as Charles Riley and Mickey Riley Welch.
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