Obituaries – March 12, 2009
Anne Brown Riley
CORPUS CHRISTI – Bonnie Anne Wetherell Brown Riley, of Corpus Christi Texas, died peacefully Sunday March 8, 2009 at Holmgreen Center. Born on September 12, 1923, in Water Valley, she was 85.
Anne was raised with two sisters, Dorothy and Ruth, and a brother George. When Anne was born her father was the only surgeon in Northeast Mississippi, and her mother was the head nurse at the hospital, which was next door to their home. Anne’s grandfather was an Episcopal clergyman, Rev C. B. Brown and for a time was the head pastor at University of Mississippi.
Anne played saxophone in the high school’s marching band and was a drum majorette. She attended college at the University of Mississippi and then Newcomb College in New Orleans. While in school in New Orleans, she met Winston, a medical student at Tulane University. Upon graduation from medical school, Winston joined the Navy and took his internship at Pensacola Navel Hospital. He and Anne were married in 1942 and lived in Pensacola for a year. Anne lived with her sister, Dorothy Pickering, in San Diego, California when Winston was posted overseas.
After being discharged from the Navy, Winston took a residency in New Orleans at Baptist Hospital, and in 1950 Anne and Winston moved from New Orleans to Corpus Christi where Winston joined his cousin Jim in a new medical partnership, Garrett, Riley and Riley (now Radiology Associates).
Anne and Winston raised their four children in Corpus Christi where they were involved in community and social affairs. Anne was a member emeritus of the Junior League and a member of the Medical Auxiliary, the Emanon Study Club, and the Driftwood Garden Club. She was a Gray Lady with the Red Cross.
Anne enjoyed studying the scriptures. The Rileys were members of The Good Shepherd Church, where Anne remained active in church matters well into her later life. She was a member of St Margaret’s Guild, the Altar Guild, and the Daughters of the King. She later became one of the many intercessors with the Daughters of the King. She was on the first board of the Good Shepherd’s Corner (a church resale and consignment shop) and was instrumental in initiating the project.
Anne was a loving mother, avid gardener and an exceptional cook; her many, memorable holiday feasts are well remembered by friends and family. She also loved being near the water and had a natural decorating style. A family friend said this about Anne: “She was born an angel.”
Anne is preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy Warren Brown and Dr. George Arnold Brown; sister, Dorothy Brown Pickering and brother, George A. Brown, Jr.
Anne is survived by her four children, Winston (Robin) Riley and wife Molly; Anne Riley Walker and husband Mike; Martha Riley Crocker and husband Will; and Joseph Patrick Riley-and five grandchildren, Winston E. Riley III and wife Heather, Thomas McMahon Riley, Suzanne Adele Riley, Curran Michael Walker, and Julia Warren Walker and husband Kevin Hatch.
Anne is also survived by her sister, Ruth Stephens, who lives with her husband, George, in Corpus Christi.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., at the Good Shepherd Church followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to a charity of the donor’s choosing.