Earlie Riley

Waynesville, Earlie Mae Riley a.k.a. “Punkin”, age 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 16, 2018, at SECU Hospice Home in Smithfield, NC.

Earlie Mae was born May 6, 1934, in Level Land, SC, to the late Haywood and Olivia Glenn Cullins.  She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Vera Stovall and Lillie Pearl Jameson; two brothers, Rayford and Wallace Cullins.  She was employed for Champion International until her retirement in 1990.  Earlie Mae truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures; chatting with friends and family, playing bingo, and spending time with her nephews, nieces and grandchildren. Earlie Mae had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way.  She was a lifelong faithful member of Jones Temple AME Zion Church and was president of the Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society.

She is survived by her children, Sam, Phil, Ricky (Mary), Fredrick (Pearl) and Cheryl; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family, friends, and others whose lives Earlie Mae touched are invited to Wells Funeral Home, 296 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 19, 2018, to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, just chat. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Jones Temple AME Zion Church in Waynesville where Revs. William Ed Staley and Walter Bryson, along with Reverend Myrna Casey will officiate.  Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery.

The care of Earlie Mae has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com