Sandra "Annette" Riley

Sandra “Annette” Riley, 81, of Decatur went home to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Denton, Texas surrounded by family and friends.

Funeral is 10 AM Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur with burial at Bethel Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday.

Matt Gage and Larry Gage will officiate. Pallbearers will include Zachary Tipton, Larry Gage, Matt Varnum, Garry Bible, Don Jennings, and Ryan Vaughn. Honorary pallbearers will include Kenny Bryan, Jeremiah Tipton, Josiah Tipton, and David Flores.

Annette was born August 24, 1944 to Thomas Walter Rosenburg and Clara Bernice (Boydston) Rosenburg in Decatur, Texas. Annette graduated from Decatur High School and began working at Maynard Oil Company in Decatur. She married Charles Henry Riley on November 11, 1967 in Decatur, Texas. 

After marrying Charles they spent the next 20 years traveling the world while he served in the Air Force, including a 30-day leave touring Europe. While in Europe she had a once in a life time experience of playing the piano in the Vatican. Upon retirement they returned to Decatur where she worked at First National Bank for several years and later served as a church secretary until her retirement.

Annette had a love for playing the piano, which began at the age of three when she taught herself “Buttons and Bows." She was the pianist for the Joy Trio from Boulevard Baptist Church (currently Onion Creek Baptist Church) in Austin, Texas, where she was also the pianist. Annette was the pianist at Immanuel Baptist Church for 28 years, where she played for the Immanuel Baptist Quartet. She always used her talent for the Lord. She recorded 7 piano CD’s which were a blessing to many around the world.

Annette loved spending time with family and friends and spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She collected lighthouses and music, and enjoyed traveling and shopping for shoes. Annette was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many who will miss her dearly. Annette faithfully attended Faith Baptist Church and reared her family to love and serve God. Her love for missions was dear to her heart. She was blessed and happy to have known many missionaries across the world who she counted as dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Clara Berniece Rosenburg; husband, Charles Riley; and her daughter, Saretha Riley.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Monica Slimp and husband Johnny of Decatur; 3 grandchildren, Cori Flores and husband David, James Slimp, and Zachary Tipton and wife Mariah; 9 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Travis, Trent, Sara, Kaitlyn, Jeremiah, Josiah, Adalynn, and Raegynn; her sister Peggy Burton, and brother-in-law, Hoyt Riley; extended family members and a host of friends.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Faith Baptist Church Missions Dept.

2882 US Hwy 380 Decatur, Texas.