Mrs. Laura Elizabeth Stevens Riley, 89, of Summerville, S.C., passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2025.
She was born on Jan. 13, 1936, on Chincoteague Island to the late John W. Cherrix and Ruby Johnson Cherrix. She was their only child.
Laura Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Jefferson Floyd Stevens Jr., and her husband of 21 years, Donald Luther Riley; a daughter-in-law, Deborah (Debbie) W. Stevens; and a granddaughter, Melanie Stevens.
She was a cafeteria worker for 32 years at Chincoteague Elementary School.
She was well-known for her homemade yeast rolls and fresh-baked goods. She loved cooking delicious meals for her family, and she would gladly share her recipes, but no one had been able to figure out her secret ingredient. Her family now knows it was love.
She truly enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, sharing stories about her childhood and what it was like growing up on Chincoteague with its rich history.
Laura Elizabeth was a wonderful wife and a loving mother and grandmother. She loved her family with all her heart, and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them.
She is survived by her sons, Ronald James Stevens (Ronnie) and Mary Temple, Jefferson Floyd Stevens III (Stevie) and Mark, and Gregory Wayne Stevens (Greg) and Rosemary; her daughter, Ruby Stevens Nelson (Ruby Etta) and Mark; her 11 grandchildren, Amanda Stevens, Stephanie Stevens Taylor, Jeffrey Stevens, Donald Stevens, James Stevens, Michael Hickman, William Hickman, Courtney Nelson Frye, Brittany Stevens Robinson, Stephen Matherly, and Jonathan Matherly; her 19 great-grandchildren, Annie, Gene Wayne, Jeffrey, Christian, Bronson, Kaelin, Daniel, Destin, Trinity, Jaedin, Kimber, Kristen, J.R., Makaela, T.J., Colin, Joshua, Jace, and Liam; and her seven great-great-grandchildren, Easton, Ryder, Katherine, Kira, Emryn, Toby, and Beau.
She also leaves behind caregivers and friends who will miss her smile and humor.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, at Union Baptist Church, 6365 Church St., Chincoteague Island. A viewing was held from 1 to 2 p.m. Pastor Starr Johnson officiated. Burial followed in the Downing Cemetery in Oak Hall.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, Michael Hickman, William Hickman, Jeffrey Stevens, Donald Stevens, James Stevens, and Jonathan Matherly.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.salyerfh.com
Services were entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, 6327 Church St., Chincoteague, VA 23336.
