Jerry Lee Riley, 69, of Columbus, MS passed away Saturday, January 18, 2020, at his residence.

Visitation will be Monday, January 20, 2020, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Fairview Baptist Church, Columbus, MS. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM with Bro. Sammy Crawford, Dr. Breck Ladd, and Kevin Drewry officiating. A graveside will be at Forest Cemetery, Ethelsville, AL with Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS directing.

Mr. Riley was born on March 18, 1950, to the Carrie Louise Drew Riley and the late Woodrow Riley in Lebanon, OH. He was a very patriotic man, loved his country, the American Flag and what it stands for- God Bless the USA. Mr. Riley retired from the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard after 21 years and 7 months of total service. He entered into the Air Force in May of 1969 and received his first military assignment at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV, transferred to his second assignment at RAF/AFB in Upper Heyford, England, then to his third assignment at Columbus AFB, MS and separated from active duty in 1980. He finished his military career with the Air National Guard at Key Field in Meridian, MS during the Vietnam war, retiring just before Desert Storm on December 3, 1990, with the rank of Master Sergeant. Mr. Riley also retired from Valmet (formerly Beloit Manhattan) in customer service after 32 years.  He worked with Lowndes Funeral Home as a Family Service Representative for several years just prior to his illness. He married the former Wanda Jaynes on March 21, 1980, had two daughters and loved his family dearly. Mr. Riley was a faithful member of Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus, MS for many years serving as Sunday School Director. He was a member of the North MS Emmaus Group, American Legion, Lake Norris Fishing Club and the Harriston Bend Hunting Club. In addition to his father he is preceded in death by his brothers- Daniel Riley and Larry Riley.

Mr. Riley is survived by his wife of 39 years- Wanda Jaynes Riley of Columbus, MS; daughters- Angie (David) Dees of Steens, MS, Laura (Kevin) Drewry of Caledonia, MS; 6 grandchildren- Riley Dees, Dylan Dees, Keely Drewry, Breelyn Dees, Kinzy Klaire Drewry, and Katherine Drewry; mother- Carrie Louise Drew Riley; sisters- Sherri (Ken) Meiring of Piqua, OH, Susan (Rick) Butler of Kodak, TN; brother- Wayne (Kathy) Riley of Memphis, TN.

Pallbearers will be Stan Rector, Jack Kanemura, Chad Ruffin, Tim Jaynes, Dylan Dees, Doug Nicely, Kevin Nicely, Mike Carter, Larry Long. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mickey Thompson, Troy Neal Jaynes, Mike Ruffin, and Ken Meiring.

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to family and friends for their love and support, BMT unit Doctors- Dr. Shelton, Dr. Distasi, Dr. Costa and staff, Hope Lodge of Birmingham, AL.

Memorials may be made to American Institute for Cancer Research at aicr.org or North MS Emmaus at nmsemmaus.org.