Camelia Ellenann Riley-Howell

CAMEILIA ELLEN ANN RILEY-HOWELL, daughter of the late William Robert Riley, Jr. and Sarah B. Riley, was called home on Monday morning May 2, 2022 to be with the Lord. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland on May 17, 1937. She was the oldest child of seven siblings in that union of marriage, and also the first grandchild of the first Black African-American police officer in the State of Maryland. She completed her education in the Baltimore City Public Schools, graduated from Frederick Douglass High School, and then attended Johns Hopkins University where she majored in Biochemistry and Science. She graduated and received a license to work in the Research Department at Sinai Hospital for a number of years. While working there at Sinai Hospital, Cameilia met a young man who became the love of her life, Mr. Cleveland Howell, from Goldsboro, North Carolina. He was a fabric cutter for a company named Misty Harbor. In the season of Autumn 1963, Cameilia and Cleveland were married at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Baltimore, Maryland and lived happily together until God called Cleveland home on December 31, 1973. She never remarried after the love of her life went home suddenly to be with God. As time moved on, the family kept her busy. Nieces and nephews who they loved, loved them just the same as if they were their own children. Aunt Cameilia was always there. Even if you didn’t call she would just come by your house to check to see if you were alright or needed anything. Most of the time she would have a car trunk full of bags loaded because she went shopping before you could go the store to shop. She was a master of coupons and quick sales at the food market. Cameilia was very talented. She loved gardening and planting flowers in the yard on Gelston Drive. She was a seamstress of making wedding dresses and prom gowns for neighbors’ children in the Edmonson Village Community. She also enjoyed visiting the sick and shut-in. She worked as a Team Captain of the Food Co-Op for Edmonson Village Woman’s Group of St. Bernadine’s Catholic Church, and the Legion of Mary Group. She sang in the senior choir as a member at Central Sommerfield Methodist Church and also was a wonderful baker of cakes. Aunt Cameilia could bake an awesome sour cream cake that would melt in your mouth and the macaroni and cheese with bacon and sweet potato pies. She was always on the go. From St. Alphonsus Church, to the Basilia Cathedral, to Our Lady Center, she loved the church, Lord Jesus Christ, and especially the Blessed Mother Mary. As time moved on in her life she was employed with the American Red Cross as a phlebotomist, traveling around the state of Maryland American Red Cross Blood Drive. Later she retired from there but kept busy with her family and close friends, especially Maxine, Betty and Magalene. They would always like to go out for lunch or dinner from time to time. Cameilia was still working and keeping busy. Her passion was being a hospice nurse and caretaker doing private duty nursing for the elderly at home. That was her passion and she was really good at it. She loved her patients and their families loved her also. She was kind, patient, and had a heart of gold, but most of all a hard worker for God with the patience of Job. She will deeply be missed by all who knew her. For such a time as this. Amen. In addition to her parents and husband, Cameilia was preceded by three brothers, Gary Guy Riley, Arno Q. Riley, and Timothy L. Riley; grandparents, Edith Riley Cousins and William R. Riley, Sr., Irene and Moses Moton; aunts and uncles, Eleanor Flemmings, Myrtle and Mark Ellis, Carolyn and Vernon Woods; sister-in-law, Beatrice Riley; brothers-in-law, Larry Patterson and Wilbur Johnson; nephews, Tony A. Riley, Lawrence D. Patterson, Kevin Nixon and first cousin, McKinley R. Matthews of San Antonio, TX. Cameilia leaves to cherish fond memories: devoted brother, William R. Riley, Jr. (Debbie) of Windsor Mill, MD; sisters, Patricia E. Riley Johnson of Middle River, MD and Renee C. Riley of Houston, TX; dedicated sisters-in-law, Doris Riley of Baltimore, MD and Flora Riley of Windsor Mill, MD; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

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Camelia Ellenann Riley-Howell

May 17, 1937 - May 2, 2022