Sgt. Monroe Riley, US Army, Ret.

Sgt. Monroe Riley Jr., age 79, a resident of Biloxi, Mississippi, passed away on August 25, 2022, after a lengthy battle with his health. He was born in Tunica, Mississippi on August 13, 1943, to Beulah Riley and Wiley Carmichael.

Monroe attended Rosa Fort High School and graduated in 1959 and moved to Chicago, Il. He chose a career in the United States Army when he was 17 years old where he became a lifelong Soldier rising through the ranks to achieve the rank of Master Sergeant. He fought and served courageously in the Vietnam War and during his stint in the military. Monroe had an opportunity to travel several countries and continents such as Japan, Italy, Germany, and Hawaii, among other exotic places and locations. He was a very well-travelled and accomplished worldly person.

Monroe was immensely proud of the life experiences he learned while in the military and would often share the most fascinating stories of his experiences with those who were fortunate enough to be in his company. After retiring from the military, Monroe lived in Germany before returning to the United States where he lived in various locations such as Florida, Las Vegas, Chicago, Horn Lake, West Memphis, Tunica, before eventually deciding to call Biloxi his home. Monroe welcomed the birth of his first child Cassandra Marie Riley, born in April of 1968 and then returned to Germany to resume his military career.

In 1990, Monroe met the woman who would become his soulmate, Ms. Dionne Barnes. Monroe would eventually make her his wife and would spend the rest of his days with Dionne. Monroe and Dionne would become Mr. & Mrs. Monroe and Dionne Riley on November 5, 1990.

Monroe had various interests in life, but he was extremely skilled in the “Art of Being a Hustler”. You could almost say that Monroe authored the book on how to survive and be a hustler is any capacity. Those of us who were lucky enough to be “schooled” by him will forever be grateful of the knowledge he passed down.  

Monroe was preceded in death by his mother, Beulah Riley-Thompson, his brothers Thomas K. Thompson, and James Thompson, Jr. Monroe is survived by his faithfully devoted wife, Dionne Riley, his three sisters, Gussie Norment, of Hobart, IN, Rita Thompson, of Chicago, Il and Valerie Gilmer (Lionel), of Chicago, IL.  Brother in laws Lawrence (Gwendolyn) Sly, Norman (Karen) George Jr, Sisters in law Jeannetta (Darrell) Felix Sr, and Mary (Darnell) Galvin. Five Children, Cassandra, Melissa, Omar, Terrell, Noel, 14 grandchildren, and 3 Great-Grandchildren; Tru Chelby Riley, Jai’Lynn Foster, and Maliyah Foster and a host of other nieces, nephews, many many friends and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022, at Infinity Funeral Home Chapel, at 11:00 am.  Visitation will start at 10:00 am.

Infinity Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Monroe Riley.  For inquiries, please call 228-436-6722.