Jacqueline Riley

Jacky was born in Chicago, IL, on November 15, 1929.  Her mother led her to Christ as a 5 year old.  She graduated from Arlington Heights Township High School in 1947 and then attended Trinity College in Belleair, FL majoring in Christian Education Missions.  She later returned there for further study and served as Dean of Women.  While at Trinity, She got to know Chuck and Bobbi Kinzer and later, Lee Harris.  They, as well as African Inland Missionaries (AIM) rep Dr. Weppler impressed on Jacky the need for workers in East Africa. She applied and was accepted and arrived in Kenya in October 1966.

Her first assignment was the Christian Education Department.  Over the next few years she served in Christian Education at Kijabe, Ogada, Machakos, and Nairobi.  She helped organize curriculum and training for SS teachers throughout the AIC churches in Kenya.

Jacky joined the AIM team in the Seychelles in early 1980.  Missionaries were not permitted, so the team asked if they could create a ceramics center.  Though Jacky had a hard time eating fish every day, she soon began to feel at home in the Seychelles and many people found their way to her apartment for Bible Studies and meaningful conversations.

She served as Business Administrator for the retail shop in the ceramics center and managed the finances for the Voluntary Service Group (As AIM was known in the Seychelles.)  She did some marketing work for the pottery center as well.

Her real gift was in bringing people to the Lord and discipling them on a one on one basis.  Many young women can bear testimony to Jacky’s impact in their lives.  She loved to see people put their faith into action and consistently included action steps as part of the process.  People knew they could talk to her about their struggles.  The way she would apply God’s Word to each situation was so helpful.  Ultimately, she did not want them to think “Jack said” but rather “God’s Word said.”

In 1987, Jacky returned to the US and after receiving training in prison ministry in Patterson, NJ she served in a women’s prison in Jacksonville, FL.  Her mother moved to Jacksonville with her as she was needing care, and Jacky was able to be there for her.  When her mother died, she moved to Minneola, FL where she began a discipling ministry with women.  Finally, in 1999, Jacky moved to Media.  She did not really retire as she continued her discipling ministry and taught a ladies’ Bible Study.

Jacqueline Mae Riley, 90, of Minneola, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2020.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 10, 2020, 10:30 AM, at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home in Winter Garden.  The family will receive friends starting at 9:30 AM.  Private interment at Orlando Memorial Gardens will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, In Memory of Jacky Riley, to African Inland Missionaries Retirement Center, AIM, 1000 Media Road, Minneola, FL  34715.

Philippians 3:10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;