Michelle Riley

Michelle Deaton Riley, 37, of Denver, passed away Saturday, January 26th, 2019 at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born in Charlotte on March 12, 1981, Michelle was the beautiful daughter of Ron “Ronnie” Deaton and Julie Pritchett Deaton.  She was a graduate of Maiden High School who was an amazing athlete, especially volleyball, and was attending CVCC gaining a mortuary science degree following the footsteps of her late grandfather. She was an avid fan of the Auburn University Tigers and Carolina Panthers attending numerous games with her father, brothers and daughter.  Michelle loved her family more than anything especially her beautiful daughter, Aleigha. She loved being at the pool, Lake Norman or beach with all those she loved, but especially her family.

Michelle dedicated her life to caring for others at a young age.  She loved others unconditionally and had the patience to be the wonderful care giver that she was.  The care giving trait was evident in her early as she watched over and cared for her younger brothers, then as she became a mom the way she cared for her daughter, and then her late grandmother.  Michelle diligently became a full-time care giver to her grandmother Edna Deaton and provided her the ability to stay home and have the best care anyone could provide a loving companion.  Even now, Michelle continues to give through donating her organs as it was important to her to give everything she had for those in need.  Her infectious smile, caring nature, and unconditional love was a blessing to all that she reached and will be truly missed by many family and friends.

Those left to cherish her memory include her parents, Ron and Julie Deaton of Sherrills Ford; daughter Aleigha Michelle Riley of the home (Denver); fiance David Loflin of the home (Denver); brothers Ronnie Deaton (Clarissa Jean) of Maiden, and J.V. Deaton (Sarah) of Maiden; nephews and nieces Zachary Deaton, Tripp Deaton, Andrew Deaton, Rose Deaton, and Asher Deaton; grandmother Juanita Pritchett of Vale; uncles and aunts Wanda Finger (Ronnie) of Maiden, Gaye Deaton of Maiden, Teresa Deaton of Maiden, Jim Pritchett (Juliann) of Ames, Iowa, Joe Pritchett (Kim) of Vale, and Jean Tolbert (Brian) of Vale; special cousins Lisa Koperski of Maiden and Jamie Smalling of Maiden; and special friend Phillip White of Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Michelle is preceded in death by her grandparents, Vernon Deaton, Edna Deaton, and John Pritchett; her uncles Jimmy Deaton and Reggie Deaton; her first cousin Candice Deaton Hawkins; and her cousin Michael Glover.

A celebration of her life will be 2:00 pm Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Maiden with Rev. Brian Clarke officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorials may be made to Kannapolis Education Foundation, Kannapolis City Schools,100 Denver Street, Kannapolis, NC  28083, Memo:  Aleigha Riley Scholarship; as well as Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Brenner Children’s Hospital, PO Box 571021 Winston Salem, NC 27157.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Riley family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.

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