Dale Evans Riley

Born Phyllis Dale Evans on February 1, 1949, Mrs. Riley was a life-long resident of the

Birmingham area and the third daughter and youngest child of Roy B. Evans, Sr. and Phyllis R.

Evans of Vestavia Hills, AL.

Her family originally lived in the Forrest Park neighborhood on Cliff Road, moving to the

Hollywood section of Homewood, and finally settling in Vestavia Hills. As a child she attended

Shades Cahaba Elementary School. During her teenage years she was a member of the Delta

Alpha Delta sorority at Shades Valley High School. After graduating in 1967, she attended

Jacksonville State University. Afterwards, she set her sights on adventure, traveling around the

world with Eastern Airlines as a flight attendant. With her first husband Ron D. Graham of

Shelby, AL. she became a mom in 1977 and again in 1982 to daughters Amy and Katie. She

worked at the former Central Bank (now Compass) and later began her career as a Media

Buyer for Buffalo Rock Pepsi and worked at various advertising agencies in Alabama.

Dale never met a stranger, and was known for her sharp wit, amazing sense of humor,

boisterous laugh, love of babies, animals, and kindnesses towards her many friends and family.

She could aways be counted on to deliver an encouraging card, love gift, or Savages Bakery

treat to anyone she felt needed a pick-me-up. She was a second mom to many of her

daughters’ friends and her nieces as well.

On July 24,1999, Dale was thrilled to marry her high school sweetheart, Charles Riley of

Birmingham, AL. Their shared love of family, travel, and music gave them much joy throughout

the 19 years they were married. One fond memory includes Charlie and Dale reconnecting on

their first date after decades apart. Dale was living with her mother at the time. Charlie fondly

remembers walking up to the house and knocking on the same door he knocked on when he

was 16 years old. Soon after, they were overjoyed to marry, surrounded by family in Charlie’s

father Gayle’s living room.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Gayle Riley of Birmingham, AL., her daughter Amy

Graham Polley (Jeremy) of Concord, NC., her daughter Kathryn Graham Slaughter (Judy) of

Birmingham, AL., and her grandsons Henry Graham Slaughter (9), Moses Edward Polley (5),

and Judah Asher Polley (3) who adored their “Griddy.”

She is also survived by her brother Roy B. Evans, Jr. (Shirley) of Vestavia Hills, AL., her nieces,

Kelly Evans Finch (Tim) of Vestavia Hills, AL., Allison Evans Maners (Martin) of Vestavia Hills,

AL., Adrienne Evans Beamer (Steve) of Woodbridge,VA., Phyllis Kathleen (Peake) Thompson

Wilson (John) of Woodstock, GA., Kimberly Graham Grogan (Rodney) of Madison, MS., and her

nephews Thomas (Tommy) John Thompson (April) of Notasulga, AL., and James (Jimbo) M.

Graham, III (Anne) of Birmingham, AL., her brother-in-law John (Jack) Frost Riley of

Birmingham, AL., her sister-in-law Dorothy (Dot) Thomas Riley of Birmingham, AL., her former

husband Ron D. Graham of Shelby, AL., her former sister-in-law Susan Wilson Graham of

Birmingham, AL., as well as 16 great-nieces and nephews.

She also leaves behind her beloved best friends Jeanie Mink of Birmingham, AL. and Delayne

Banks of Mobile, AL.