A service to honor the life of Riley Lewis Stanfield Jr. was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 5, 2016 at Trinity Baptist Church. Interment followed at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches. The family received friends from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, September 4 at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home and again on Monday from 9 a.m. until service time at the church. Riley, 81 years of age, passed away on Sep. 2, 2016. He was born on March 19, 1935 in Cherokee, Ala. Riley and Sylvia, his loving wife of 57 years, lived in many cities across the United States, but have made their home in Natchitoches for the last 35 years. Riley was a loving, but firm father of four boys. He worked hard to provide for his family, but also took the time to share love of the outdoors with them. Riley’s joy increased when he was blessed with nine grandchildren, and recently, two great grandchildren. Riley worked as a millwright for several companies including International Paper and Georgia Pacific. He also worked as a carpenter, building and remodeling businesses and homes in the community. Riley’s loved for his family was only surpassed by the love he had for God and his country. He served in the 3rd Armored Division of the United States Army from 1955 to 1956. Riley was also a Deacon and longtime member of Trinity Baptist Church. He enjoyed a good gospel singing and visiting with special friends, especially while eating fish at Clara Springs. When Riley was not working, you could find him in the woods or on the riverbank. The sound of a turkey gobble or the bob of a cork supplied him with more happiness than money could ever buy. Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Sylvia Stanfield, four sons and their families: Rodney Stanfield and wife Susie, children William and Grace Stanfield; Christopher Stanfield and wife Vanessa, children Aaron Stanfield and fiancé Frances Saurage, Adam Stanfield and wife Anna, children Easton and Elli; and Cara Stanfield; Benjamin Stanfield and wife Shannon, children Caleb Stanfield and fiancé Kristina Moore; and Faith Stanfield; Alan Stanfield and wife Jennifer, children Hana Stanfield and James Riley Stanfield; two brothers, Harold Stanfield and wife Mattie, Jack Stanfield and wife Carolyn and one sister, Nettie Thurman. Riley was welcomed home by his parents, Riley L. Stanfield Sr. and Vivian Stanfield, brothers Henry Stanfield and Hillard Stanfield, and sisters Cora B. Willingham and Diane Stanfield. Those honored to serve as pallbearers included Aaron Stanfield, Adam Stanfield, William Stanfield, Caleb Stanfield, James Riley Stanfield and Dean Dove. Honorary pallbearers were Pappy Weeks Sunday School class, Joe Clark, Cullen Heim, Bubba Mills, Mark Melder and Bro. T. J. Boyd.
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