Ed Riley

To all of Ed's friends:

Ed Riley, age 81, went to be with his beloved Ellen on May 29, 2020 following a two-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

After graduating from North Fulton High School, Buckhead, GA he served his country honorably as a Marine.  After discharge, he and Ellen were married and lived in Smyrna, GA; Irmo, SC; St. Petersburg, FL; Marietta, GA; Knoxville, TN; St. Simons Island, GA; Brunswick, GA; and Tuckasegee, NC. They were active in both large and small Episcopal churches from the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta to the Church of the Good Shepherd, Cashiers, and the King of Peace, Kingsland, GA.

The Riley's are survived by 3 children: Laura Anne, Sue Ellen and John Edward, 6 grandchildren (Mary Claire Upton & Caroline Grace Upton; Casey Allen Hicks & Samantha Leigh Sharpe; Jason Edward Riley & Auburn Nicole Riley) and 3 great-grandchildren (Damien Lee Sharpe & Marshall Owen Sharpe; Lincoln Allen Hicks).

Ed was the busiest retired person you ever met.  Over the years he was an active member of the Canada Volunteer Fire Dept and a first responder.  He started a Fraser fir tree farm and native plant nursery, developed houses on Caney Fork with his friend James, restored a classic mustang with his grandson Casey, was an instrument rated pilot and avid sailor.  Ed and Ellen were world travelers taking their grandchildren to Europe and Australia.

Upon the death of Rusty, their beloved long hair Chihuahua, the three will have their ashes spread somewhere in the Great Smoky Mountains.

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