Viola Riley was born on January 13, 1940 to the union of the late Lee Kelly and Mother Earlie Riley. She was the eldest of three loving sisters and a younger brother. Viola was very protective of her younger siblings. She attended Durant Attendance Center and later in life received an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Tougaloo College

Viola united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Willie clark, to this union Winnifred Ann was born. Later, she shared nuptials with Mr. Joe Louis Hill where three children, Freda Deloise, C. Rochelle and Tawana Anecia were born. After the death of Joe Louis, Viola dedicated her life to raising her girls. After they matured to young adults, she married D.L. Love.

Because of her diligent work ethic, Viola held various jobs in Holmes County. She briefly worked for Talon Industries, T.W.L Stores, Mid-Delta Home Health Agency, and Durant Senior Food Services where she delivered meals to senior citizens. As an entrepreneur, she was very proud of her business known as Unlimited Dry Goods. The store's inventory was very diverse, ranging from farming seeds to fashionable dresses and wigs. Her sisters Renice and Elsie Jean assisted her in traveling to the distribution markets to keep the store inventoried with the latest fashions. Although she held a variety of jobs during her career, her heart and passion was her employment with Central Mississippi Incorporated as a bus driver. She was employed with the agency for 38 years and transported four generations of students as they began their formal education. Also, she drove the students to their medical appointments and field trips. In addition, she drove her co-workers to various trainings and career development workshops. After she retired in 2000, she traveled across the states of Mississippi and Arkansas with her daughter C. Rochelle, educating individuals on the harmful effects of tobacco. She loved the WATCH (Working Against Tobacco by Choosing Health) and RAT (Reject All Tobacco) programs in addition to attending community events. Everyone affectionally knew her as "Mother Love". Also, she attended nursing conferences with her daughter Tawana and was Bryson's loyal babysitter. She was always ready to accompany daughters Winnifred and Freda with their families on trips.

Mother Love's church life began as a child as her mother, Earlie Riley, was a founding member of St. James Church. Mother Love accepted the Lord as her Savior and remained a faithful member of St. James. She took pride in her service to God and served in various roles at St. James. She thrived as an Usher and was named Head Usher of First Born Deliverance Ministries. She was appointed as a Missionary and to the Mother's Board, but her greatest joy was serving her little brother as the Pastor of St James Church. She was an anointed Missionary and took her assignment seriously. While living in Durant, she visited and prayed for the sick and shut-in, those hospitalized, individuals incarcerated and anyone needing a word from the Lord.

After she moved to Madison County and could no longer drive, she started her phone calling ministry. Mother Love diligently phoned family members, church members, and friends. Sometimes she would dial the wrong number, but she would not give up until she reached the person God had placed on her heart. If she could not make it to church service at St. James, she would visit Priestly Chapel Church in Canton and various churches in the Metro Jackson area, serving the Lord was always on her mind.

Mother Love's hobbies included maintaining her flowers, shopping, traveling, a good game of bingo and telling funny stories. She was socially connected and attended the Madison County Senior Service Agency Flora Site. She went on numerous trips with the Flora Site family. She was an active poll worker and concerned about civil rights issues. She received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her professional career and with her social clubs. Most recently, she received the Bishop E.Q. Adams award from First Born Deliverance Ministries. Mother Love was also named the Madison County Alumni Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated 2015 Mother of the Year.

The Lord quickly called Mother Love home from a life of love and service on August 23, 2020. Her life and precious memories will forever be cherished by her loving daughters: Winnifred Ann (Larry) of Durant, MS, Freda Deloise of Jackson, MS, C. Rochelle (Montel) of Canton, MS, and Tawana Anecia of Ridgeland, MS, along with her grandchildren Rodney Quinzel, Larry Darnell (Natasha), Triaton Bernard, Bryon Keith (Redralynd), Iris, Amanda, Johnathan Edward (preceded her in death), Jamerson Joe and Bryson Tyler; her sisters, Missionary Louise Ross and Missionary Renice McCowin of Chicago, IL, her beloved and only brother, Pastor James (First Lady Carolyn) Riley of Durant, MS; her sister, Mother Elsie Jean Rodgers and husbands Joe Louis Hill and D.L. Love and son-in-law Darryl Tucker, Jr. all preceded her in death. She will be missed by her beloved nieces and nephews, 24 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives, St. James Church family, friends and her adored terrier, Dusty Love.

PLACE OF SERVICE: Durant Baptist M.B. Church, Durant, MS

DATE OF SERVICE: Saturday, 8/29/2020 at 11:00 a.m.

INTERMENT: True Light Cemetery, Camden, MS