Rebecca Elizabeth (Riley) Stanley

On November 19, 1959, Rebecca Stanley was born to Calvin L. Riley Sr. and Rosetta Johnson in Cambridge Md., where she was raised and lived her entire life.

Rebecca started her education in the Dorchester county schools and eventually would become a permanent substitute teacher for special needs within the same school system for several years.

In 1981, she welcomed her first daughter, Toree Lynn Riley whom she shared a special relationship with, a mother and best friend she was to her.

She married the love of her life Gregory C. Stanley Sr., January 7, 1989. In 1992, they welcomed their first child, Loree Lynn Stanley, (Boobie as she would call her), whom she shares a special bond with.

She spent most of her life caring for children. She hated to see a child feeling lost and because of this became a foster care mother for over eight children. Some would stay until they came of age and never wanted to leave as she created special bonds that would last a lifetime. 

She hated to see anyone in need so she created the foundation “A Heart for God” Ministries where she would do her witnessing work by preparing full meals, and sandwiches, handing out her hand written scriptures from the Bible, personal inspirational notes and giving away her own clothes to anyone in need throughout the year.

She would take a call from anyone at any time who needed to talk to someone who would understand and give them a spiritual uplifting. She also used her evangelism to create a woman’s group for those that needed to come together in need of the Lord, for whatever reason, and invited them into her home.

Besides spending time with her daughters, singing and worshipping her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was her passion. Besides singing in church every Sunday, you could hear her sing and worship throughout the day in her home because she enjoyed it so much.

Known around town by many as “Candy”, she enjoyed laughing, having a sense of humor like her father; extremely funny, always enjoyed making people laugh with her witty jokes. Candy had a heart of gold, a loving spirit, a genuine soul and could light up any room with her gentle presence. She never did anything halfway. Everything she did was with God and love.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Rosetta Riley, husband, Gregory C. Stanley, Sr., brother, Calvin L. Riley Jr., and sister, Deborah Lynn Riley.

She is survived by daughters; Toree Riley, Loree (Tatiana) Stanley, bonus daughters, Kirra Burton, Stephanie Woolford, and India Watkins, brother, Darnell (Lorraine) Riley, sisters; Rosita (Garnett) Corsey, and Gwendolyn (Steve) Girlie, grandchildren; Camille Graham, Ma’Kai Germain, aunt, whom she shares a special relationship with, Barbara Harris, as well as nephews, Calvin Johnson and Dimitri Girlie and nieces, Lolita Corsey and Stephanie Riley. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  

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