Doris Louise Langley Riley

Garner- Doris Louise Langley Riley, 87, passed away Wednesday evening, January 22, 2014 at her home with her son and loved ones by her side. Louise was born on August 1, 1926 in Cerro Gordo, NC, daughter of Hettie Jane and Valery James Benton. Upon graduating from Cerro Gordo High School she moved to Washington DC to work for the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover. In DC she met her husband, William Arthur Langley Sr. As a wedded couple they moved to Athens, Greece where Bill was stationed at the American Embassy. In Greece she gave birth to her only child, William Arthur Langley Jr. The family returned to the Nations Capital where Bill Sr. was stationed at the Pentagon. After spending several years in DC the family then moved to the American Embassy in Colombo, Ceylon. While in Ceylon, Louise entertained Diplomats and Ambassadors as well as adventuring on numerous safaris. While on one such safari she secured the world record for the largest leopard ever shot and killed by a woman, a title she holds to this day. In 1955 the family returned to North Carolina, establishing their home in Garner. Louise joined First Baptist Church of Garner that very year. As a 59 year member she sang in both the adult and senior worship choirs and volunteered uncountable hours with various church committees and efforts. Louise was a proud Charter Member of Garner Chapter #321 Order of The Eastern Star. She had the honor of serving as a Worthy Matron. She held several offices throughout the years and has been their Treasurer for more years than anyone can remember. She got great enjoyment from the Sisterhood of the Eastern Star. Louise was also a devoted NCSU fan, where she worked in the Student Accounting office for 28 years until she retired in 1986. In 1984 her husband of 38 years, Bill, passed away. While she mourned him deeply, she found strength in her family, friends, church and the Eastern Star. Over a decade later a widowed gentlemen in her choir caught her eye. In 1998, she and Robert Eugene Bob Riley were married. Together, Louise & Bob found a renewed energy for love & life. They sang together in the First Baptist Choir and traveled together as missionaries to Malaysia. They had a loving and adoring marriage that sadly ended when Bob passed away in 2011. Louise found strength and vitality from a core group of lifelong friends whom she loved. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening and cooking. Louise was world famous in Garner for her home made pickles, pound cakes and fig preserves. The only thing that came close to her love for God and her Church was her love for her son, Bill Langley & wife, Sherry, her Grandchildren, Trey Langley & wife, Genevieve, Brooke Miller & husband, James and Will Langley, and her Great Grandchildren, Finn Miller, Piper Miller and Emmy Langley. Her world revolved around their every accomplishment and accolade. Additionally, Louise loved her stepchildren Benjamin Riley & wife, Julie, Phillip Riley & wife, Janet, and Jennifer Wilkerson & husband, Robert. She is also survived by brother-in-law, Bill Hubbard, siblings, VJ Benton & wife, Faye, Floyd Benton & wife, Betty, Sudie Williamson and Earl Benton & wife, Shelby Jean. Louise was preceded in death by siblings, Margie Benton, Kathleen Benton, Buster Benton, Rachel DuBay & husband, Raymond and Betty Hubbard, as well as brother-in-law, Billy Williamson. The family will receive friends at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner on Saturday, January 25, 2014 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In celebration of Louises life, a funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church, Garner, NC on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.