Leah Anne Bradke Riley, 84

Leah Anne Bradke Riley of Little Rock died April 26, 2018 at age 84.  She was born in 1933 to Berwell Lee Bradke and Gladys Matthews of Enola, Arkansas and grew up at Kellog Acres in North Little Rock. Anne received a bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1954 from Harding College and a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Arkansas in 1955.

Anne married the love of her life, Kenneth Walter Riley of Orlando, Florida in 1955.  They enjoyed a 54-year marriage and were blessed with two daughters and later adored being doting grandparents.

Anne was a well-respected teacher in the Little Rock school district where she taught primary grade students for 40 years.  She loved to see children learn to read and write and especially encouraged creative writing.   She was awarded the Arkansas Christa McAuliffe Fellowship for 1988-1989 for her creative writing program for children at Fair Park primary school in Little Rock. For 15 years she tutored children in her Reading Workshop from her home in Hillcrest. 

Anne’s interests included genealogy, Christian history and cooking.  She enjoyed time with family and friends and her enthusiasm for life was both infectious and inspiring.

She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth and by her sister Molly Bradke Phillips.

She is survived by her brother Edward Bradke of Conway, daughters Pamela Hildebrand and Judy Riley, son-in-law William Hildebrand and grandsons Peter and Eric Hildebrand, all of Little Rock.

Her loving nieces and nephews include Cindy Alexander, Julie Olson, Linda Walker, Jennifer McMillan and Kevin Bradke, all of Conway Arkansas.

Memorial gifts may be made to the children’s ministry of Victory Television Network of Little Rock.

A memorial service will be held at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ on May 6^th, 2018 at 2:00 pm.

Arrangements are under the direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.