Mary Carol Riles

Mary (Carol) Howard Riles, passed away on 3/19/25 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Mary has gone to join her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to be reunited with her loving husband of 55 years Gettis (GW) Riles. She will also be joining her sisters and parents who have gone before her. She is survived by her two daughters Michele and Wendy and her son Bradley. She is also survived by her six grandchildren Brett, Shawn, Jessica, Riley, Briac and Axel as well as Liam her great grandson.

Mary grew up on a small farm near Albany Georgia with her two sisters Eleanor and Ginger with her father Elbert Howard and her mother Mary Howard. They lived a simple, honest, good life in which a strong work ethic was embodied to her through her father, a WW2 Navy Veteran, who would work the farm and at the thread mill in nearby Ty Ty and her mother who taught her how to grow, preserve and prepare food and maintain a home while keeping everyone on the straight and narrow. Her parents were deeply religious and practiced the old Methodist faith and were very active in their church and community.

The work ethic instilled by her upbringing led Mary to go on to university and eventually earn a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida and later a Master’s Degree from Rollins College. When her education was combined with her work ethic Mary worked her way up from a part time secretary position at Valencia Community College she held while finishing her Associates Degree to being an executive at Valencia Community College in charge of testing at all campuses. Many people from the Orlando area knew her as the lady in the big office with the glass wall that kept an eye over them while they took their final exams, some may know her as the no-nonsense lady who caught them trying to cheat or told them they were caught by one of her staff.

Mary met GW in Warner Robins Georgia while attending Andrew College. GW and Carol first met on a blind date that as told got off to a rough start but led to a lifetime of love and commitment together until GW’s passing in August of 2019. After moving around while GW was in the Airforce, they finally made their home in Pinehills a suburb of Orlando, Florida where they lived for 20+ years before resettling in nearby Winter Garden. Later in life they enjoyed a second home in Trinidad, Colorado before finally settling in rural Pasco County, Florida sharing a property with their son’s family before Carol required the services of the Beach House at Wiregrass Assisted Living and Memory Care.

Mary and GW loved the Ocean and were Licensed Merchant Marine Captains and PADI Certified Dive Masters. One of their hobbies was to collect seashells from the sea floor, remove the barnacles and other growth and polish them to perfection for which they won several awards. They also enjoyed a Harley Davidson and despite having obtained a motorcycle permit of her own Carol preferred to ride on the back with her arms around GW.

Mary and GW also loved to Travel. They traveled extensively in Europe and South America and used their RV to visit every state in the United States, every province in Canada and around half of Mexico. There were few places that Carol and GW couldn't share a "pro tip" on.

Mary also researched and wrote a novel “Wreck Ashore” and a few small pieces which made print. “Wreck Ashore” is a historical, romantic, fiction novel based in the pioneer days of South Florida and is an excellent read and a bit “spicy” in a few chapters.

While Mary was the literal definition of a “strong empowered woman” and an adventurer she was first and foremost a beautiful person full of love and compassion. She would not think twice before lending a hand to someone who needed help or lending a foot to someone who needed to help themselves. She was for many a true friend. She was an amazing mother and grandmother who could be relied upon for a hug, advice or in some cases a good old fashioned “talking to”. She was also a perfect match and partner for her GW with whom she not only built a life together but who taught their children to build their own.

Donations can be made on Mary’s behalf to Gulfside Hospice, who have been good to her and her family at: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/ODgzNDg?__hstc=136015342.9069afad852ce3a36b2125e4edd853aa.1616508989914.1623357401583.1623673384698.54&__hssc=136015342.1.1623760444323&__hsfp=3461249301&hsCtaTracking=6b6e14f1-4fb0-4f1b-9729-400d0927adf0%7Ca854c864-9051-4b8f-9c9e-4cf747e62b93

Mary will be missed.  

Live Streaming of the Chapel Service will begin at 10:00am on Thursday, March 27, 2025: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/f25039572595917

A Memorial Gathering is scheduled on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 10:00am with the Service beginning at 11:00am at Loyless Funeral Homes,  5310 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes, Florida 34639.  Inurnment is scheduled on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 1:30p, at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida 33513.