He graduated from Frank Cody High School, Detroit, Michigan, in 1978. Upon returning to Arkansas, he met and married Erma Lucas, and to this union one son, Roger Riley, Jr., was born, and later another son, Sidney Lucas.
Roger, "Popeye" united with Green Mount Baptist Church early in life; and upon moving to the Sixteen Section Community, he united with the Sixteen Section Missionary Baptist Church. He served as a member of the choir and church treasurer until his health failed in 2012. He was a willing worker and dedicated to serve where ever he was needed.
Roger, "Popeye" Riley, Sr., answered his call and surrendered to the will of God on Monday, May 5, 2014...he fought a good fight, he finished his course, he kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give him at that day; and not for him only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
"Popeye" leaves to mourn his passing, his devoted wife, Erma Riley; two sons, Roger Riley, Jr., and Sidney Lucas; two nephews whom he raised as sons, Gregory Shaw and Jeremy Hayes; six brothers, Willie Lee Riley, James (Recey) Riley, Eddie (Jackie) Riley, Edward (Linda) Riley, all of Detroit, MI; Welton (Jean) Green of Monticello, AR; and Emmit (Dorothy) Riley of Crossett, AR; five sisters; Christine (Marshall), Happy (Rufus), Maryland Rawls, Bobbie (Theadore), and Emma Riley, all of Detroit, MI; one grandson; two granddaughters; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.
Condolences(27)
Eric Steen
Clinton, MS Wednesday, February 4, 2015 I think about you often Uncle Popeye, especially when I am either passing by your house when I am visiting Maw Maw Riley and when I pass by your old Photography Business in Dumas. Continue To RestEric R. Steen
Nephew of Roger Lee Riley
GREG JEFFERSON
ST.LOUIS, MO Saturday, June 21, 2014 I WANT TO SEND MY BLESSING TO THE FAMILY.MY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS ALL OF YOU.WOLFWesley
Monticello, AR Thursday, May 15, 2014 We know popeye will be missed allot he had the same cancer as m dad Bikly OwensLeigh ann Coulon
Little Rock, AR Tuesday, May 13, 2014 Mr Riley is greatly loved and missed by all of us at the clinic. Our prayers are with you, Mrs Riley and know that we love you!Anne Scott
Monticello, AR Monday, May 12, 2014 Erma , so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers to you and your family .Potlatch Log Yard
Warren, AR Monday, May 12, 2014 Popeye will be dearly missed by the Log Yard crew. Our sympathy is with his family...Daphne Spinks-Brown
Dumas, AR Sunday, May 11, 2014 I always appreciated Popeye for stepping in and being the male benefactor that Jeremy needed. He taught the boy to be a man and how to work. He was a blessing to the Spinks Family of Dumas because he truly loved one of our own. Our loss is surely heaven's gain. Godspeed our brother and friend!Meagan
, AR Saturday, May 10, 2014 Popeye will be missed by many, but never forgotten....One thing I personally remember about him, Riding the bus one morning down this gravel road, it had been raining a lot..we went to the end like morning but we tried to turn around and ended up stuck like chuck....makes me smile to think back...Mrs. erma and pj y'all are all in my thoughts and prayersChandala Moore
Pine Bluff, AR Saturday, May 10, 2014 My thoughts are prayers are with you and the entire family during this difficult time. Memories keep those we love close to us forever. May God Bless you and give you strength, courage and peace.George & Pat Davidson & family
Monticello, AR Friday, May 9, 2014 Erma and family, our prayers are with you.Deena Smith-Jones
Bryant, AR Friday, May 9, 2014 To the Riley Family,Words cannot express my deepest sympathy regarding the loss of Popeye. I placed him on my prayer list after receiving a request via Facebook. Through it all, GOD knows best.
Jermaine & Maurion Walton
Conway, AR Friday, May 9, 2014 We are so sorry for your loss and will keep you lifted up in Prayer.Marjani Shaw
Conway, AR Friday, May 9, 2014 Keeping you all in my prayers. Sorry I couldn't be there.Maurion Walton
Conway, AR Friday, May 9, 2014 Praying for you guys.David & Andrea(Allen) Hudson
North Chicago, IL Friday, May 9, 2014 Praying God's strength for your entire family.Leo Jr and Peggy Everett
Monticello, AR Thursday, May 8, 2014 Erma, PJ, and the entire Riley Family, may God comfort you at your time of sorrow. Popeye was a great friend/person. He will be truly missed. Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. May God Bless Each Of You!!Faye Farmer
Wilmar, AR Thursday, May 8, 2014 I Love You Uncle PopeyeRoberta
Wilmar, AR Thursday, May 8, 2014 May you find comfort in the Love of God. Popeye kept the faith and ran this race of life, enduring it all until God called him home. He was kind, generous, and genuine...and touched the lives of so many in such a positive way. The beautiful thing about life is that it is a GIFT from God! Keep the Faith, continue to love, lean and depend on one another, and continue to Praise God and Trust in His word.Judy Shorter
Monticello, AR Thursday, May 8, 2014 my God Bless That FamilyFaye Harris
Urbana, IL Thursday, May 8, 2014 Erma my prayers are with you and your family. May God give you comfort and strength.oscar and brenda greene
monticello, AR Thursday, May 8, 2014 may God sustain and comfort you and your familyMary burgess
Monticello, AR Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Erma I am praying for you. I have walked in your shoes and I know how hard it is. What has helped me is that I know Ray is no longer sick and neither is your husband. But more important is that we will see them again one day .lisa baldwin
monticello, AR Wednesday, May 7, 2014 TO ALL THE RILEY FAMILY SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS SENDING PRAYERS TO YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALLBettyLou Hammock Pymn
Monticello, AR Wednesday, May 7, 2014 It saddens me to hear this. My condolences to the family.God bless you and may he give you the strength you need to get through this difficult time.
Jyrl & Villie Wise
wilmar, AR Tuesday, May 6, 2014 Sorry for your lost praying for you from the Beulah Thorne family also.Judy Matthews Floyd
Las Vegas, NV Tuesday, May 6, 2014 My deepest condolences goes out to the Riley family. May God give the family strength at this time.Jessica Williams
Atlanta, GA Monday, May 5, 2014 I'm grateful to have exchanged many words of laughter & to have embraced your many words of wisdom. Your voice, acts of kindness, and loving spirit will forever resonate in the lives that you touched, most certainly this one. Healing to all.Forever grateful,
"Cookie"
FOCUSING ON THE ETERNAL:
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)