Willa Dean Martin (Widdy) Riley,
age 92, of Decatur, Alabama
passed away January 31, 2025. She
was born in Decatur, Alabama.
She was a devout member of the
Grant Street Church of Christ and
served faithfully throughout
her life. Widdy set an example of
living life to the fullest and
thanked God everyday for the time
with family and friends. She will
be deeply missed by those who
loved her, as her compassion and
thoughtfulness made a lasting
impact on many lives.
She was preceded in death by her
husband of 66 years, Charles
Riley, son Michael Riley and her
parents, Alton Martin and Nadine
Anders Martin Whitson. She is
survived by two daughters, Tami
Riley Chambers (Wayne) of
Notasulga, Alabama and Wendy
Riley Crane (Allyn) of Decatur;
four grandchildren, Charles
(Charlie) Crane of LaGrange, GA
and Sarah Crane of Nashville, TN;
Wayne Chambers of North
Carolina; Christie Chambers Pobst
of Colorado; 7 great grandchildren,
and one sister Betty Martin
Phillips of Paducah, Kentucky.
Widdy was a graduate of Riverside
High School; she was a devoted
Red Raider cheerleader and
supporter.
After high school she worked at
South Central Bell Telephone
Company in Decatur, Birmingham,
and Opelika. She was a member of
the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
Her hobby was sharing – her love,
her time, her home, and her food.
She always knew who was sick,
lonely, bereaved and in need of
tender care. Her chicken noodle
soup made many friends and
strangers recover quickly from
their illness. Church members
would contact Widdy to get a
status report on the location and
health condition of the
membership-she always had the
answers.
The family wishes to express their
gratitude to the many who cared
and ministered to her needs during
her illness including Hospice of
The Valley. They are also
extremely thankful for the love and
care provided to her by the staff
and nurses at Riverside Senior
Living during her time there.
A private graveside will be held
for the family.Ridout’s Brown-Service
Directing
