Dr. Charles Norman Riley went home to be with the Lord on February 5, 2023.  Dr. Riley was born in Surrency, Georgia, on January 17, 1929, to Julian and Fleta Riley. He graduated from Jesup High School (1948). He was the president of his class and continued to organize annual reunions until recent years. He graduated from Middle Georgia College (1952), while co-oping with the railroad where he began working at age 14. He married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Parrish, on June 1, 1952.

Charles and Betty had 4 daughters, Charlyn Green (Donnie) of Augusta, GA, Dian Davis (Bill) of Laramie, WY, Tara Tidwell (Cliff) of McIntyre, GA, and Teresa McDuffie (Marshall) of Birmingham, AL; 6 grandchildren, Paul Green of Atlanta, Mary Green O'Berry (Greg) of Lynchburg, VA, Brad Smith (Lori) of Bonaire, GA, Chad Folsom (Fatima) of Macon, GA, Daniel McDuffie of Birmingham, AL, and Hannah McDuffie of Birmingham, AL; 4 great-grandchildren, Matthew Smith, Mark Smith, Adeline Folsom, and James Folsom. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Vinson Riley and his beloved wife.

He served in the US Army at Fort Jackson, SC, (1952-1954) in the Army Hospital Dental Unit. He graduated from Emory University's Dental School (1958). He practiced dentistry in Dublin, Georgia, from 1958 to 2005, when he retired to care for his wife for the 10 years prior to her passing. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Dublin for many years and served as a deacon and on various committees. The Rileys were one of the founding families of Trinity Baptist Church and Trinity Christian School, where he also was a deacon and served on the school board.

He was known for standing strong for his Christian beliefs both personally and in professional and civic organizations. He was an active member in Kiwanis International, where he served terms as the local club president and the Governor of the Georgia District. He was also instrumental in connecting the Kiwanis Club with the American Bible Society and was a strong supporter of their Bible distribution. He was an active member of the Georgia Dental Association and a past-president of the Central District. He was a cofounder of the Laurens County GOP and served as a delegate to the Georgia and National Republican Conventions.

He was known for distributing pens and toothbrushes with scriptures on them, usually having both in his shirt pocket. He loved visiting with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling and camping and sharing that love with his extended family. He stayed active in his vegetable and flower gardens well into his 90's. He was a lifelong witness for the Lord, leaving a legacy of faith. He would invite you to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord in order to join him one day in heaven.

Townsend Brothers Funeral Home of Dublin is handling arrangements. A family visitation will be held on Friday, February 10th at 1pm at First Baptist Church (405 Bellevue Ave, Dublin, GA 31021), with the Funeral Service celebrating his life following at 2pm. A private burial will be held on Saturday, February 11th at Surrency City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Dublin First Baptist Church's Missions Ministry or their Hands of Ruth Ministry.