He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Cora Risley; sisters Lucille Yancy, Edna Johann, Dorthy Copeland and Charlotte Hansen; brothers Hervey Risley and Troy Risley; and granddaughter Kristen Risley.
Roy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara (Weatherford); four sisters Retha Jones, Maxine Purdom, Anna West and Sammy Lipscomb; four children, Ronna Jackson and husband Ricky of Edmond, Kent Risley and wife Brenda of Edmond, Carole Parker and husband Ken of Noble, and Kurt Risley and wife Julie of Portland, OR. He has nine grandchildren: Aubrey Jackson, Danielle Ruff and husband Zach, Ryan Jackson, Caleb Risley, Sarah Marshall and husband Tracy, Hannah Risley, Matina Hunnell and husband Jon, Whitney Martin and husband Cornelius, Leo Parker and wife Anna and eleven great-grandchildren: Madeleine, Abraham, Harrison, Bradley, Lillian, Eleanor, Tate, Lily, Owen and the 11th great-grandchild due in December.
Roy was born in Cane Hill, Arkansas on December 1, 1932. His life was well lived and defined in many ways by his creativity. From children’s stories, poetry, driftwood sculptures, flower arrangements, oil paintings, carvings and many woodcraft collectibles. He had an eye and love for all things beautiful. He had a dry sense of humor and a mischievous laugh! A lifelong member of the church of Christ, Roy served faithfully as a minister in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee.
His legacy of a gentle way and example of faithful living has and will be a path of life for many.
In his memory, donations and contributions can be given to Evergreen Academy, a private school started by his eldest granddaughter whom he loved to support.
