Elizabeth Ann (Riley) Cowles, 82, beloved mother and grandmother, widow of Edward Howard Cowles, of Staunton, died Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Augusta Health. 

She was born Dec. 23, 1932, in Glens Falls, N.Y., a daughter of the late John T. and Angelus Gertrude (Hoag) Riley.

Mrs. Cowles was a homemaker.

She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Family members include a daughter, Susan E. Cowles and fiancé Rob Spitler; three sons and a daughter-in-law, the Rev. James Cowles, Daniel H. and Jennifer Cowles, and Kevin Cowles and girlfriend Sandra Blythe; a son-in-law, David Byrd and wife Debbie; five grandchildren, Randall and Christopher Cowles, Stephen Cowles and fiancée Liz Harlow, Angela and husband Lamar Crawford, and David Byrd Jr.; three great-grandchildren, Colton Cowles, Ava Elizabeth Crawford, and Marcus Crawford; additional extended relatives in upstate New York and Florida, and many special friends.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Cowles; a daughter, Donna Marie Byrd, and two brothers, Robert Riley and Jack Riley.

A Catholic funeral liturgy was conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2015, in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church by Father James Cowles. Burial followed in Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton.

The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2015, in the Henry Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Building Fund, 118 North Augusta Street, Staunton, Va. 24401 or the American Cancer Society, 1445 E. Rio Road, Suite 104, Charlottesville, Va. 22901. 

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.henryfuneralhome.net.