Shirley Annette Miller Riley's Obituary
Shirley Annette Miller Riley, 89, of Canyon, Texas, formerly of Memphis, Texas, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, in Canyon.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 5th at Robertson Heritage Chapel in Memphis, with her nephew, Denney Miller, officiating. Viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Memphis.
Shirley was born on December 24, 1935, in Wellington, Texas, to James Earl Melvin and Sarah Idella (Bledsoe) Miller. She was raised in Memphis and graduated from Memphis High School, Class of 1953. She was a lifelong resident of Memphis until ten years ago, when she moved to Canyon to be closer to family.
Shirley attended secretary school in Dallas, Texas, before returning home to Memphis, where she began her career as a secretary with GTE. She dedicated over 40 years of service before retiring.
She married J.D. Riley, and although they eventually divorced, they shared memorable years together. During their marriage, they opened an antique store in Memphis, where Shirley found great joy in discovering old furniture to refinish and in collecting cherished dishes and memorabilia.
A woman of many interests and deep community involvement, Shirley was a member of the Memphis Preservation Foundation, the 86ers Quilting Club, the Red River Club of the Red Hatters Society, and the Memphis Little Theater. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and playing cards with her dear friends. She was also a wonderful cook, known for the love and care she poured into her meals.
Although Shirley had no children of her own, she adored her 12 nieces and nephews, loving each of them as if they were her own.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Della Miller; four brothers, Melvin Miller, Joe Miller, Eugene Miller, and Dink Miller; one sister, Marcella Henry; and three nephews, Gene Makinson, Jimmy Miller, and Johnny Determan.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Yetive Miller of Canyon, TX; two nieces, Connie Kesler (Lee) of Canyon, TX, and Tracy Brown of Fort Worth, TX; seven nephews, Jerry Miller, Denney Miller (Sandy) of Springfield, MO, Tony Determan (Jana) of Oklahoma City, Phillip Determan (Kim) of Oklahoma City, Don Miller (Lin) of Westcliff, CO, Mack Miller (Kathy) of Amarillo, TX, and Bret Miller (Tina) of Lake Whitney, TX.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memphis Preservation Foundation, PO Box 295, Memphis, TX 79245.
What’s your fondest memory of Shirley?
What’s a lesson you learned from Shirley?
Share a story where Shirley's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Shirley you’ll never forget.
How did Shirley make you smile?
