Elaine Brown Riley

Elaine Brown Riley, 82, of Douglasville, Ga., passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2008. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Newton Brown and Blonnie Vansant Brown; her husband, Harold Edward Riley, and brothers, Charles Edward Brown and Dennis O’Neal Brown. She is survived by her son Michael O’Neal Riley of Milledgeville; brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Jean Brown of Douglasville; sister, Katherine Carden of Wedowee, Alabama, sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Donald Norton of Villa Rica; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Larry White of Temple; sisters-in-law, Betty McKown Smith of Dallas and Mary Riley Gilliland of Lithia Springs; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sue Riley Gable and Jimmy Gable of Douglas County; and several nieces and nephews. Elaine Riley was born July 23, 1925, in Douglas County, and attended Beulah Elementary School, Douglas County High School, West Georgia College and Georgia State University. She was an active lifelong member of Midway United Methodist Church. Mrs. Riley devoted her life to the service of her family, her country, her state and her church; she was a passionate advocate for civil rights and equal opportunity for all people. In 1954 she began working as a caseworker with the Douglas County Department of Public Welfare (now known as the Department of Family and Children’s Services), and in 1959 she was promoted to Director of the Department. Her accomplishments as Director were so numerous that it is possible to mention only some of the highlights. She was instrumental in organizing the first Headstart Program in Douglas County; in 1973, she developed the Douglas County Senior Citizens in Action Program, the only aging program of its kind in the state administered by a DFCS Director; in 1978 she developed the Maternal and Child Health Service Program (MATCH); she served as Executive Director and Secretary for the Emergency Relief Program; she served as the 1980 Chairperson and 1981 President of the Troubled Children’s Council; she served as Salvation Army Advisory Board Member; she was representative on the EOA Board; she served as a member of the Douglas County Social Service Council; she developed the Child Welfare Fund; she developed the Secret Santa Program for Foster Children; and she helped develop the Annual Senior Citizen Picnic. After 33 years of service, she retired in 1987. In 1968 the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce recognized Elaine Riley for “Devoted Service Above and Beyond the Realm of Duty’, she was recognized by the Douglasville Lions Club in 1972; Douglas County proclaimed April 7, 1979 as “Elaine Riley Day” for “Outstanding County Leadership”, she received the Director of the Year Award in 1986 from the Georgia County Welfare Association, and in 1987 she was inducted into the Georgia County Welfare Association Hall of Fame. After retirement she remained active in the community, serving as Vice Chairperson and Chairperson of the Douglas County Historical Society, teaching Sunday school and serving on church committees. She also joined a square dance and clogging group, and devoted more time to her favorite hobby, making designer clothing. Funeral Services will be conducted Friday, May 23, 2008 at 1:00 PM at Midway United Methodist Church with Dr. Orin Sampson and Dr. Marion Beaver officiating. Interment will follow at Douglasville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Douglas Chapel, Thursday, May 22, 2008 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Messages of condolences to the family may be sent from www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Douglas Chapel is serving the Riley Family. 770-942-2311