Idessa Riley

Idessa Isabell Riley, 87 of Lawrence, passed away on January 5, 2013 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born on April 22, 1925 in Topeka, KS to James and Margaret (Hockett) DeMoss and spent her childhood in Fort Scott, KS.

She was married to Isaac K. Riley, Jr. for over 50 years.  Preceding her in death was her husband Isaac; sister, Aurora Logan; four brothers, Roland DeMoss, George DeMoss, Ralph DeMoss and Cornelius Aldridge.

Idessa graduated from the Topeka School of Public Nursing with a LPN degree in 1960; in 1970 she received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Butler County Community College and in 1981 obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Baker University.

Idessa was a longtime Nursing Supervisor at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was a member of Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church and also volunteered with Meals on Wheels.

Survivors include two sons, Dennis D. Riley and Douglas I. Riley (Alfreda), both of Lawrence; two daughters, Donita P. Riley, Los Angeles, CA and Kimberly R. Washington (Vindell), Baton Rouge, LA; four sisters, Gladys Rennels, Leona Mullins, Alta Cummings and Hazel Moore; ten Grandchildren, Laurie Logan, Monica Barfield, Adrian Riley, Dustin Riley, Aphton Riley, Kendall Riley, Kristine Karvonen, Kayla Karvonen, Taylor Washington and Riley Washington; five Great-Grandchildren, Kaylee Riley,  Ashlyn-Jordyn Barfield, Isaiah Logan, Treye Logan and Dustin Riley, Jr.; nieces, nephews, cousins and faithful friends.

The family will greet family and friends on Friday, January 11, 2013 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Mortuary.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.  Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery