Jaqueline (Echols) Riley

Jacqueline “Jackie”

Jackie was born on November 11 th , 1955, to the late Robert Echols, Sr. & Mrs. Dorothy Echols in Thomasville, GA.
Jackie gave her life to Christ at a young age as a member of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in
Thomasville, GA. She completed her high school education from Thomasville High School in 1974 and continued to
the University of Georgia before relocating to Atlanta where she began building her family and career.
Jackie married Willie “Phillip” Riley of Hawkinsville, GA. They proudly raised two sons, Brandon Riley, Sr. (Jennifer)
and Brian Riley of Decatur, GA.
On December 13, 2003, she achieved a long-term goal of obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Management
from Shorter University. Her career culminated with over 40+ years invested at Emory University where she worked
in the Department of Surgery and Department of Pediatric Residency. Her position as Emory University Pediatric
Residency Coordinator came with vast responsibilities that she held to a high level of pride and loyalty. She enjoyed
onboarding the pediatric residents at Emory/Grady and established loving relationships with them. While at Emory,
she curated many relationships and friendships. She projected her beautiful loving spirit to everyone she met and
worked with over the years. Her most recent accomplishment was being promoted to Program Manager.
Jackie’s spiritual ministry and service continued over the years. She was a long-time member of Greenforest
Community Baptist Church in Decatur, GA where she was a Fulfillment Hour Ministry member and played on the
church softball team for many years. She later joined Salem Bible Baptist Church with her son, Brian, and husband.
Of all her accomplishments Jackie was most proud of her family, raising her two sons, and especially showering her
two grandsons with love. They were her pride and joy!
Jackie’s beautiful maternal spirit incorporated so many young people. She took in sons’ friends with loving arms and
shared many meals with them. She made sure to include them as part of her household.
Jackie truly enjoyed life and she never met a stranger! She loved reading, writing poems, music and she loved to
cook. She appreciated the arts, traveling, and most of all…spending time with family and friends. Jackie had a giving
spirit. Making people happy warmed her heart and fed her gentle spirit.
Jackie leaves to cherish her fond memories her husband Phillip; sons Brandon Riley, Sr. (Jennifer) and Brian Riley.
Grandsons: Brandon Riley, Jr. and Jackson Riley. Her mother, Dorothy Echols. Jackie was deeply loved by her 5
siblings Robert Echols, Jr., Pearlie Riley, Deborah Echols, William Echols (Sylvia), Cheryl Echols and sister-in-Christ,
Portia McQueen. Their bond was strong and everlasting. Brother-in-law, Elijah Riley (Deborah); sisters-in-laws,
Gertrude Glenn and Helen Robinson. She is also survived by loving nieces and nephews: Farrah D. Riley, Darius
Jenkins, Shanta Jenkins Knight, Dayveon Knight, Malaysia Knight, Darryl Hughes (Sherrie), Jada Hughes and
Jasmin Hughes. Loving Uncle Elijah Richardson; Cousins: Betty Hamilton, Gwen Hill & Valgene Hill, Jessie
Richardson and Cassandra “Joyce” Richardson Baugh. The Coleman family/cousins and extended family, countless
friends, and associates.

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