On Monday, March 14, 2022, Betty Gean Riley quietly and peacefully passed and entered the golden gates to be with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Betty began life's journey on November 13, 1955, when she was born to the late George Vincent Riley and Mary Lucille Cooper.  Following her 1973 graduation from LaPlata High School, Betty earned an administrative assistance certificate at the College of Southern Maryland. She went on to become a dedicated public servant in the US Department of Labor, retiring after over 40 years of service to her country.

Betty found enjoyment in going to the beach, traveling locally, creative arts, listening to music, hand dancing, sewing, and reading.  She took enormous pride in the accomplishments of her nieces and nephews.  Betty encouraged them to grow their beauty from the inside – out, hearts, minds, and souls.

Born in Marbury, MD her strong character was molded by her aunts and uncles. They were raised more like sisters and brothers. Betty was proceeded in death by both parents and stepfather, Leroy Lyles; siblings George Riley, James and John Lyles; grandparents James Cooper and Mary Regina Harrison; and a host of uncles and aunts. She is survived by her sisters Patricia and Dorothy Lyles, Laverne Jackson (Stanley) and Mary Lyles-Moore (Wallace); uncles Charles Cooper (Adriana), William Brown (Denise), Warren Fountaine, Lawrence and Jerome Lyles; aunts Barbara and Shirley Cooper, Theresa Keys (John), and Mamie Mason; she was especially close to her aunt, Theresa Keys becoming her surrogate mother; nephews Twann Riley, Antoine Watson, Bernard and Jayshawn Jackson; nieces Tiffany Dyson (Stevie), Katrina Raysor (Joseph), LaShaunda Jackson, Andrea Fitzgerald, Latrice Lyles, Olivia Moore, Angelina and Adrienna Jackson; and a host of family and friends.

Friends may visit with the family Wednesday, March 23, from 10am until time of service at 11am at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel, 3439 Livingston Road Indian Head, MD 20640. Interment to follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens Waldorf, MD.