Donnie Dean Riley

Donnie Dean Riley, age 82, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away November 22, 2021. Donnie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Nancy Wroten Riley; his daughter, Lee Ann Riley Newman (Doug); his daughter, Kitsy Riley Benvenutti (Ned); and his grandchildren, Nancy Newman, Camille Newman, Katharine Newman, Riley Benvenutti, and Hogan Benvenutti; sister, Janice Riley Newell (Bob); brother, Jerry Dale Riley (Judy); sister-in-law, Helen Couch Riley; and a host of nieces and nephews. Donnie was preceded in his death by his parents, Lucian and Ethel Riley and brother, Larry Riley. Donnie graduated from Quitman High School, Ole Miss, and The University of MS Law School. He practiced law in Southaven, MS, before moving to Gulfport in 1965 to practice law with Joe Meadows and Richard Graves. Later, Donnie and Jerry formed Riley Law Firm. He served as an Elder and Trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, Commander of Epsilon Xi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity (Bond #366), President of the University of MS Law Alumni, President of the MS Bar Foundation, Board Member for MS Valley Title Co, President of the Great Southern Club, Commodore of the Gulfport Yacht Club, King of Merry Maskers, Board Member on Memorial Hospital Foundation. Member of Bayou Bluff Tennis Club, Les Cavalier Mardi Gras Crewe, and Gulfport Century Club. Honorary Pall Bearers: Joe Meadows, Sherman Muths, Tom Sawyer, Reese Bowen, Jimmy Neilson, Bobby Braun, Manuel Dedeaux, and the Epislon Xi Chapter of Sigma Nu. Special thanks to Kare-In-Home Hospice. The family prefers memorials to First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, 10885 O’Neal Road, Gulfport, MS 39507 or Josephine Baptist Church, P.O. Box 247, Josephine, AL 36530 or Friends of the Redeemer, 6001 Vista Circle, Gulfport, MS 39507, www.friendsoftheredeemer.org. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church, Gulfport, where friends may visit beginning at 10:30 a.m. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Riley family. View and sign online tribute at www.bokfh.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donnie Dean Riley please visit our Sympathy Store.