Eldora was born on October 19, 1942 to the union of Wright T. Riley and Annie Mae Riley
in St. Louis, Missouri.
Eldora was a loving, kind, selfless and mild tempered woman. She was well loved by every-
one, as she loved everyone.
She confessed her life to Christ at an early age. She rounded her Christian walk as a proud
member of Greater Mount Pleasant MB Church in Chicago, IL under the leadership of Rev.
Joel D. Taylor. She later joined New Faith Baptist Church International under the leadership
of the Rev Dr. Trunell D. Felder in Matteson IL.
Eldora had an extraordinary level of faith in Jesus and lived like it to match. She was a coun-
selor, an encourager, a keeper, and even an enforcer when she needed to be; always focused
on pleasing God. You could, like clockwork, always count on her talking about the goodness
of Jesus. And how no matter what, she would say “Jesus has me covered” or “Jesus got me
feeling like break-dancing”. You might even catch her doing her legendary “shoulder shimmy
dance” in her last days as she talked about her unwavering love for Jesus.
Eldora worked at St. Joseph Hospital for many years before transferring to Loyola Hospital.
She worked at Wilbur Wright College until she retired.
Eldora departed this life on December 6, 2021 in Chicago, IL in the comfort of her own
home.
She is preceded in death by: Her father, Wright Riley; her mother, Annie Mae Riley; five
brothers, Willie Riley, Walter Riley, James L. Riley, Milton Riley and Obie Riley; one daughter,
Adrienne Caldwell; and husband and life partner, Willie Caldwell Sr.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory: Three children, Henrietta Riley, Willie Caldwell
(Nathanya/Bebe) and Danielle Caldwell; one sister, Martha Sharp; twelve grandchildren, thir-
teen great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.