Lucille Riley

Mom was born near Artesia, New Mexico on April 30, 1926. Her parents were Forest Frosty Houghtaling and his wife Emmaline Emma nee Vogel. She spent her entire life in the Artesia area, attending Artesia Public Schools, marrying and raising her family. She died peacefully in her sleep at the family home on East Compress Road the evening of October 7, 2011.

She was the third child and first daughter born to Frosty and Emma. Her siblings included J.R., Harold, Aline, William, Edith and Rosie. In her youth, the Houghtaling family grew alfalfa and cotton on farms between Atoka and Cottonwood. They used a mule to plow and when they baled hay, the wires that bound the bales were tied by hand. Mom and her brothers and sisters knew what it meant to chop cotton and to drag a gunny sack down the rows as they picked the boles by hand. At home, water came from a well and was carried into the house for cooking and bathing. Light came from coal oil lamps. Upon graduating from Artesia High School, she found employment with the City of Artesia and moved out of the family home to live in town with her Aunt Annie. Somewhere along the way she met Ely Ray Riley, an Arkansas native, who was working as a roughneck in the oil fields and pitching the baseball for the Artesia Oilers. They married on October 15, 1954 and to their union four sons were born: James Forest 1955, William Ray 1957, Thomas Michael 1959 and John Richard 1960. Together this devoted couple raised their family and operated a hayhauling business, delivering premium Pecos Valley alfalfa to dairies, ranches and horse farms across Texas.

A devout Southern Baptist, she taught Sunday School and faithfully took her four boys to worship services on Sunday morning and evening and to bible studies on Wednesday night. Her faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit was absolute and allows those of us who loved her to find solace in the fact that she now resides with her savior Jesus, in the place that he prepared for her.

Lucille Sue Riley was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ray, her parents Frosty and Emma, and her siblings Aline, Harold and William. She is survived by her brother J.R and his wife Boxie of Artesia, her sisters Edith of Clovis and Rosie of Artesia, her son Jimmy and his wife Debbie of Artesia, her son Billy of Prosser, Washington and her sons Tommy and John of Artesia. She is also survived by her grandchildren Chad and Lisa Riley Midland, Texas, Nolan and Mandy Riley Houston, Texas, Craig and Amanda Riley Artesia, Carin and Lance Pacheco Artesia and greatgrandchildren Lincoln, Thomas, Lily, Andrew, Daelon and Destin and many nieces and nephews.

Those who wish to pay their last respects may do so at Terpening and Son Mortuary at 611 West Grand in Artesia until 8:00 on Wednesday, October 12. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 on Thursday, October 13 at West Main Baptist Church 1701 W. Main St., Artesia , New Mexico followed by burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Lunch will be served to family members preceding the services at 12:30 at the church. Pallbearers will be Chad, Nolan and Craig Riley, Lance Pacheco and Lonnie and Ronnie Arnold. Following the burial services, all are invited to the home of Jimmy and Debbie Riley, 36 East Compress Road.