Marylene Riley 2024 Women’s Leading the way

CVV News l March 2024

Marylene Riley was recognized for 2024 Women Leading the Way by Assemblywomen Esmeralda Soria.

She was born Marylene Williams on November 23,1955 in Merced, California. She was raised in Dos Palos where she attended elementary school. secondary school and high school.

Marylene graduated from high school in 1974. She attended Merced College, majoring in medical terminology. She married Earl Riley and relocated to Merced in 1977. The couple had three children, twelve grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

For 25 years, Marylene worked in the printing industry. She was employed with Merced Color Press. She started as a general worker. Towards the end of her career, she was promoted to photolithography and check-in specialist.

Since 1994 Marylene has been a loyal dedicated member of the church. She attended Second Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Ernmerett Roland. She held the positions as choir member and deaconess. Riley left the church in good standing. In 2007 she joined St Matthews Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Jerry Huey. The church would later become under the direction of Pastor Allen Huddleston.

“I am proud of my mother’s many accolades and accomplishments. Over the last two decades I have witnessed her efforts. She has partnered with many people and organizations in Merced County.

She has many accolades and accomplishments:

• Between 2000-2023, Marylene served on the committee for the Christian Women’s Retreat for 23 years under the direction of Lytania Walker
  (Director).
• In 2008, Marylene organized the first Riley Brothers Victims’ Remembrance Walk in 2009 after losing both sons Michael and Marlis Riley, to murder.
• Between 2010 and 2023 Marylene organized the Michael and Marlis Riley Memorial Scholarship. Marylene hand-selected 13 students attending Merced College to receive a $500 scholarship available to a transferring Political Science/Low major.
  • In October 2011, Marylene Riley was honored by Merced County NAACP(Branch 1047) at their Annual Freedom Fund Banquet as a guest speaker. She received an award and was recognized for her service to the people of Merced County.
• In 2013, Marylene was part of Feel Changing lives Fundraising Program. The group changed the lives of many by walking through different parts of Merced neighborhoods. The group members stopped and spoke to citizens, listened to their stories, prayed with them and encouraged them. In 2014, Marylene was a speaker at the Feet Changing lives Fundraising Program.
• In April 2017, Marylene was the guest speaker of Merced County District Attorney’s Annual Victims’ Right Ceremony. In 2017, the Theme was Strength, Resilience Justice.
• Later in 2017, Marylene participated and graduated from Merced Police Department’s Citizens· Academy. under the leadership of Chief Norman Andrade.
• In 2019, Marylene became an Executive Board member of Merced County NAACP (Branch 1047). She held the position of Criminal Justice Choir, under the leadership of President Allen Brooks.
• In 2020, Marylene was appointed as Religious Affairs Chairperson of Merced County NAACP (Branch 1047). In 2021, this branch was the recipient of the Dr. H. Claude Hudson Award presented at the 2021 California/Hawaii State Conference.
• In 2021, With Mayor Matthew Serrato, Marylene participated in community cleanup throughout the neighborhoods in the city of Merced.
• In 2023, Marylene became a member of Atwater Women’s Club.
• This year (2024), Marylene has dedicated her time and efforts to the following:
  o Currently, she is under the leadership of Pastor Allen Huddleston and First Lady Barbara Huddleston of St Matthew Baptist Church. St Matthew Baptist Church is a congregation that strives to be Christ Centered, Word Focused and Ministry Minded because it is all about Jesus Christ. Marylene was appointed the role of Interceding Prayer and elder. Also. she is holding the position as one of the Women’s Sunday School Teacher.
  o Marylene was appointed as a member of Merced County District Attorney’s Community Advisory Board by District Attorney Nicole Silveira.
  o Marylene has signed up to start volunteering at Merced County Historical Courthouse Museum.
  

” Thanking God for my accomplishments, in my life Journey and my daughter Sonia Jideonwo for writing my biography, showcasing my accolades and contributions to the community. Thank You Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria.”-Marylene Riley