Obituary for Gloria Jean Botts-Riley
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Meeting ID: 819 3947 0099
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Gloria Jean Botts Riley, a cherished wife, mother, and grandmother, was called home on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Gloria was the fourth child of eight, born to Juanita Silas and Harry Morris Lane on April 26,1949. Gloria grew up in Washington DC with four sisters and three brothers She spent most of her adolescent and young adult years in her long-time family home on 7th and Van Buren Streets in NW Washington, DC. Gloria attended DC Public Schools and graduated from Calvin Coolidge Senior High School.
Gloria worked at the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC, before she moved to Juneau Alaska, where Luther Riley courted her. In January 1991, Gloria and Luther married. Gloria grew to love Juneau and called it home. She and Luther enjoyed the serene mountains, beautiful beaches, breathtaking skies flaunting the Northern Lights and was even charmed by the snow. Gloria ran a home day care for many years before retiring. She had a special bond with the kids she cared for; they loved her tremendously and would often enjoy sleepovers and weekend adventures with Gloria.
Gloria’s ultimate passion was music. She loved to sing from the time she was a small child. She had a singing group with two school friends, and they would practice their songs in the basement. Gloria used to play a game with her siblings where they would pick random 45’s (small vinyl records for the millennials who don’t know) out of a bag and sing the song…that game is now known as Karaoke. When the world caught up and Karaoke became a thing, Gloria couldn’t wait to visit Paul and Lee’s (brother and sister-in-law) house to sing Karaoke in the basement.
Gloria loved spending time with her family, children, and grandchildren. She was incredibly proud of her kids and had a special relationship with each of her grandchildren. When her kids were young, Gloria loved taking them to Rock Creek Park for picnics and walks.
Gloria did not love to cook, but she could fry some fish like nobody’s business and her shrimp and crab balls were scrumptious. Gloria loved good food, but sweets were her true heart’s desire. She had a serious sweet tooth…she was not too discerning, but chocolate and cheesecake were at the top of her list.
Gloria’s free spirit and generous and loving heart were her most adoring qualities. She always saw the best in everyone and loved with an open and non-judgmental heart.
As Gloria departed from this life, she was reunited with her beloved Mother, Juanita Silas, Sisters - Sheila Botts and Terry Mccoy, Brother – Harry Lane, and her absolute favorite Uncle - Roland “Pedie” Lewis, who all preceded her in death.
Gloria leaves many to cherish her memory, her Husband – Luther Riley; Father – Earl Cecil Silas, Children - Kevin Botts (Yolanda), Katrina Botts and Keith Botts; Grandchildren – Whitney Wooten, Ashley Wooten, Joshua Wooten, Serena Medina-Botts, Laquita Ford, Carlos Hollins Jr., Jalissa Butler, Jayla Botts and Keith Botts Jr., Sisters – Carolyn Stafford (Bobby), Candy Perry (Ron) and Brothers Wallace Lane and Paul Lane (Lee), beloved members of the Riley Family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends.
Gloria we will miss your smile and your beautiful and loving heart. Rest in loving paradise.
To join the service via Zoom , please click here at the time of service
OR
enter this ID and Passcode into your zoom application:
Meeting ID: 819 3947 0099
Passcode: Botts
Gloria Jean Botts Riley, a cherished wife, mother, and grandmother, was called home on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Gloria was the fourth child of eight, born to Juanita Silas and Harry Morris Lane on April 26,1949. Gloria grew up in Washington DC with four sisters and three brothers She spent most of her adolescent and young adult years in her long-time family home on 7th and Van Buren Streets in NW Washington, DC. Gloria attended DC Public Schools and graduated from Calvin Coolidge Senior High School.
Gloria worked at the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC, before she moved to Juneau Alaska, where Luther Riley courted her. In January 1991, Gloria and Luther married. Gloria grew to love Juneau and called it home. She and Luther enjoyed the serene mountains, beautiful beaches, breathtaking skies flaunting the Northern Lights and was even charmed by the snow. Gloria ran a home day care for many years before retiring. She had a special bond with the kids she cared for; they loved her tremendously and would often enjoy sleepovers and weekend adventures with Gloria.
Gloria’s ultimate passion was music. She loved to sing from the time she was a small child. She had a singing group with two school friends, and they would practice their songs in the basement. Gloria used to play a game with her siblings where they would pick random 45’s (small vinyl records for the millennials who don’t know) out of a bag and sing the song…that game is now known as Karaoke. When the world caught up and Karaoke became a thing, Gloria couldn’t wait to visit Paul and Lee’s (brother and sister-in-law) house to sing Karaoke in the basement.
Gloria loved spending time with her family, children, and grandchildren. She was incredibly proud of her kids and had a special relationship with each of her grandchildren. When her kids were young, Gloria loved taking them to Rock Creek Park for picnics and walks.
Gloria did not love to cook, but she could fry some fish like nobody’s business and her shrimp and crab balls were scrumptious. Gloria loved good food, but sweets were her true heart’s desire. She had a serious sweet tooth…she was not too discerning, but chocolate and cheesecake were at the top of her list.
Gloria’s free spirit and generous and loving heart were her most adoring qualities. She always saw the best in everyone and loved with an open and non-judgmental heart.
As Gloria departed from this life, she was reunited with her beloved Mother, Juanita Silas, Sisters - Sheila Botts and Terry Mccoy, Brother – Harry Lane, and her absolute favorite Uncle - Roland “Pedie” Lewis, who all preceded her in death.
Gloria leaves many to cherish her memory, her Husband – Luther Riley; Father – Earl Cecil Silas, Children - Kevin Botts (Yolanda), Katrina Botts and Keith Botts; Grandchildren – Whitney Wooten, Ashley Wooten, Joshua Wooten, Serena Medina-Botts, Laquita Ford, Carlos Hollins Jr., Jalissa Butler, Jayla Botts and Keith Botts Jr., Sisters – Carolyn Stafford (Bobby), Candy Perry (Ron) and Brothers Wallace Lane and Paul Lane (Lee), beloved members of the Riley Family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends.
Gloria we will miss your smile and your beautiful and loving heart. Rest in loving paradise.