Obituary of Lelia Riffle

Lelia B. Riffle Funeral services for Lelia Belle Riffle of Elsberry, MO were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 15, 2003 at the Elsberry Assembly of God Church in Elsberry. Rev. Richard Pillers, church pastor, officiated with burial in Elsberry City Cemetery in Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers were Josh Turner, Dwayne Fielder, Michael Riffle, Rick LaFata, Shane Riffle, and Mike Ligon; honorary pallbearers were Calvin Shelton, David Lilley, and Bryan Keim. Ms. Riffle, 82, died late Tuesday morning, August 12, 2003 at her home in Elsberry. Born January 6, 1921 in St. Louis, MO, she was the daughter of Clifton Lowery and Nellie Lee Bufford McAfee. She was employed for several years at Wells Lamont Glove Factory; and later worked as a cook for "The Place" restaurant in Elsberry for 25 years. Ms. Riffle retired to be a homemaker; she spent her time gardening and doing yard work. Ms. Riffle was preceded in death by her father, Clifton McAfee; her mother, Nellie Lee Lamphere; her grandparents, Dr. C.A. and Mollie B. McAfee; and a close friend, Margaret Austin. Survivors include four sons: Robert L. Fielder and his wife, Diane, John Michael Riffle, and Gilbert Wayne Riffle, all of Elsberry, and Larry Eugene Riffle of Troy, MO; three daughters: Mary Louise LaFata of Lake Ozark, MO, Kathy Diane Morgan of Elsberry, and Carol Mills of Elsberry; fourteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two close friends: Laurie Reynolds of Winfield, MO, and Stacia Schamma of O'Fallon, MO; several cousins, other relatives and friends to which she devoted her life. Ms. Riffle will be sadly missed by her family. Visitation was held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 14, 2003 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to AmHeart Hospice in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.