Obituaries

Dorothy Louise Riley, 85, passed away on April 29, 2026. Services will be Saturday, May 9, 2026 beginning with visitation at 10 am and funeral service to follow at 12 noon at Little Flock Missionary Baptist Church, 1030 S. Hancock Street.

Dorothy (Dodie) Louise Riley was born Dorothy Louise Applins on December 4, 1940, in Columbus, Mississippi, to Picola Buck and Leroy Applins. She was lovingly raised by her maternal grandmother, Mary Ella Hughes, who preceded her in death in the 1980s. Dorothy accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 12 in Columbus, Mississippi, beginning a lifelong walk of faith.

At the age of 14, Dorothy moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to live with her mother, Picola Davis. She attended Lucille Duvalle Junior High School and was among the first class to graduate the 9th grade from the new Duvalle on 34th and Bohne. She went on to graduate from Central High School and later earned a Technical Secretary Degree from Spencerian College.

Dorothy’s professional journey led her to Nashville, Tennessee, where she served as an Administrative Assistant for a nonprofit Counseling and Rehabilitation Center for Drug Addiction. During this time, she also had the honor of meeting Mrs. Barbara Bush, the former First Lady of the United States. Although she was accomplished in her career, Dorothy’s true passion was cooking. She shared her gift generously—as a private caterer and as a beloved cook for the daycare at First Gethsemane Baptist Church, where she was also a faithful member.

Dorothy was blessed to meet the love of her life, Rev. Larry Riley. Within a few months, they were united in marriage, a loving union that endured for 44 beautiful years. She cherished their marriage deeply, always emphasizing that “a marriage takes three—the husband, the wife, and God at the center.” Together, she and Rev. Riley served faithfully in ministry, with him pastoring 8th Street Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and N Street Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, for ten years. After his retirement from preaching, they joined Little Flock Baptist Church, where Dorothy remained a dedicated member until she was called home.

Dorothy is survived by her devoted husband Rev. Larry Riley; her sister, Gloria Farris (Rothel); sister-in-law, Diane Bonner (Anthony); her children, Tonia Cunningham, Timothy Cunningham, and Terry D. Cunningham; grandchildren, Sametha Lewis, Terry L. Cunningham, TeShonna Billups (Anthony), and Demetrius Morrison; along with numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and a loving church family and circle of friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Dorothy Louise Riley leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and service that will never be forgotten. Though she has departed from this life, her warmth, kindness, and steadfast devotion to God and family will live on in all who knew and loved her.