Althea Ruth Riley

Althea Ruth (Finkenbinder) Riley, age 85, has been welcomed into her eternal home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She is currently seeing Jesus face to face along with her loved ones who have made this journey prior to her. Althea was born June 6, 1937 in New York, New York, the youngest of 5 children born to Frank Otto and Aura (Argetsinger) Finkenbinder.

Being born in New York was quite an honor for Mom, such a fitting place for this rising star in our lives!  She loved to tell you that you could see the Statue of Liberty from the room where she was born. Finkenbinders have had an impact all over the world in sharing the Gospel; being the first missionaries to Puerto Rico for the Assemblies of God Church. Her parents were consumed with the call of sharing Jesus wherever God led them; an incredible heritage Mom loved to talk about.  Music was also her passion to be expressed at literally every gathering, which led us to establish a long history of ending family gatherings with angelic voices singing,  “Count Your Blessings.”

JOY, Jesus-Others-and You, this acronym encapsulates our precious gift from God.  

The “J” was Mom’s foundation.  She gave her life to Jesus as a young girl and  quickly learned that life needed Jesus. Jesus in the morning, Jesus at noon, Jesus through the night.  Her love for music was nurtured through times of ministry she had with her family.  Playing piano or organ in church became a love of Mom’s.  She and Frank Salvador had yearly concerts (Mom preferred calling those times ‘jam sessions’); those who attended enjoyed hearing the wonderful talents God blessed these two with! Mom’s life was full of listening to preaching, teaching, singing and reading her Bible.  Every opportunity possible she would attend church in person, making time to pray for all her loved ones knowing that with God, there is hope to see her prayers answered.  

The “O” is for Others.  Mom’s most significant Other was Loren Richmond Riley Jr.,  her wonderful husband of 55 years to the day!  Of course, they met in the Assembly of God Church in Yuma, where her father was pastoring at the time.  The majority of their lives together was settling into this amazing community.  Seeing these two together was inspiring…a marriage full of love, commitment, laughter and much giving!  From this union on September 5, 1954, came a lifelong adventure with 8 children of their own along with 2 added children, blessings from her brother, as well as many who call Althea “Mom.”  Most likely she touched your life in some way.  Whether you are family, friends, a waitress, a doctor, a nurse, or just happen to be in the same aisle as her in a store, Mom would want to take time to talk with you. She genuinely cared - there are boxes of cards, truck loads of pictures, VHSs  and reel-to-reels to prove it! If you took the time to visit, you’d find a pot of hot, black coffee and some kind of delicious baked goodie. She loved to sit and talk, laugh and pray a while.  If you had a little more extra time, a game of Dominos would sure be appreciated. Heading out the door of her home was always an adventure, because inevitably, she would come out the front door and flag you down to stop you because she had just one more thing to say .

The “Y” is for You.  This is to encourage YOU to take time now to stop….and remember how YOU were loved by Mom.  Take time to remember the God loving, Holy Spirit filled woman she was to YOU. Take time to soak in the moments you had the opportunity to spend with her. Just like in the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, each friend had a different perspective of their time with Jesus.  Each of YOU have a journey filled with your memories:  station wagon rides in the mountains, breakfast with Grandma, Puerto Rican Arroz Con Pollo, pies, cookies, Tuesday sopapillas,  Branson, shopping, apprehension of storms rolling in, haircuts and perms, church services, Duckwall’s-Alco, watching her favorite televangelist with her, AvaCare meetings, Patriot Meetings, and her newest addition-Teddy.  With all these memories and many more, we will forever honor the JOY of our Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, Great Aunt and friend to so many!

Those left here to cherish her memory: her children:  Melody(Bill) Glover, Loren III(Brenda) Riley, Peggy Brophy, Doyle(Becci) Riley, Amy(Steve) Walters, Crystal(Dean) Yearous and the added blessings from her brother were Karen(Tony) Hooper and David(Patsy) Finkenbinder; 28 Grandchildren and 28 Great Grandchildren (with several more on the way) along with all her extended family and many friends!  Those greeting her in heaven: her husband Loren Riley Jr. and his parents, Loren Sr. and Victoria Riley; her parents Frank and Aura Finkenbinder; brothers Paul, Frank and George; sister Francis Moore; sons Raymond Otto and Daniel Ray; son in law, Charles Brophy Sr. and grandson in law, Dustee Odell.

The Service celebrating her life will be officiated by Pastor Jim Hoganson, held on Friday January 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at New Life Christian Center in Eckley, Colorado.  Inurnment will follow at the Yuma Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.