Obituary of Bro. John Gayle Riles

Funeral services for Bro. John Gayle Riles are scheduled for 2 PM, Friday, August 13, 2021, at Bethel Baptist Church, with Bro. Tim Post officiating. Bro. Gayle passed away at his residence, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at the age of seventy-two. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation preceding the service, beginning at 1 PM at the church. Bro. Gayle was a faithful servant of God, having pastored for forty-eight years, in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. His heart was the heart of a servant for all of those years and he graciously served the churches that he was called to shepherd. He was always known for being willing to do whatever was needed for his congregation, even to the point of gathering his tools and loading up his truck to help in what was needed to be done. He had a passion for sharing the Gospel with everyone he came in contact with and only eternity will tell the lives that were impacted by his ministry. Following a major health crisis a few years ago, God blessed by allowing him to build a home and return to his childhood home place that he loved so dearly. After retirement, he continued to faithfully serve the Lord, as a member and deacon of Bethel Baptist Church. His love for family and friends was exceeded only by his love for his for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is preceded in death by his wife of forty-eight years, Sue Riles; parents, Lonnie and Mattie Lee Riles; and brother, David Riles. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rose Riles; daughters, Dana Brown, and husband Greg, Wanda Rush, and husband Robert, Amy Riles, and husband Steven, and Haley Chavis, and husband Timmy; son, Steve Riles, and wife Angela; brothers, Bobby Riles, and wife Paula, and Billy Riles, and wife Rose; sisters-in-law, Janice Riles, and Lana Cummins and husband James; brother-in-law, Billy Ellingburg and wife Sarah; grandchildren, Ryan Rush, Emily Rush, Elissa Brown, Abi Riles, Adison Riles, Megan Battaglia and husband Tony, Justin Patterson and wife Amanda, Courtney Lofton and husband Gus, Tyler Riles, Carson Chavis, and Callie Chavis; and great-grandchildren, Bryson, Thomas, Bridget, Katie, Gavin, Lola Grace and Raydyn. Serving the family as pallbearers will be the deacons of Bethel Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers are all of his nephews. He, no doubt, was welcomed into Heaven with these words from the Savior that he loved and served, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”