Mary Ella (Riley) Hammett, age 89, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and faithful servant of the Lord, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 22, 2025.  She was born in Natchez, Alabama on February 7th,1936 to Otis Riley and Lonnie Longmire Riley. As a young teen, Mary moved to Akron, Ohio and has been a lifetime resident since that time. She was a Christian and was a devoted wife and mother to her late husband and children.

Mary was a television connoisseur of several soap operas (her stories).  During the early years of raising her children, she would forego her “stories” to walk her children to the library.  Her community affiliations included: Glover Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Macedonia Baptist Church, and her Pebble Creek Bible Study.

In her latter days, and as a resident of Pebble Creek Healthcare Center, it was her mission to tell everyone she encountered, “trust in God and leave your worries to Him”. She was adamant about making sure her clothes were color coordinated, and she also loved to wear red lipstick and red nail polish.

She was preceded in death by her father, Otis Riley, mother, Lonnie Longmire Riley, stepmother Bessie Tolbert Riley, brother Larry Riley, her late husband, James Lawrence Hammett, daughter, Michelle Hammett Ross, son-in laws, David Lowe Sr. and Frank Marina Jr., brothers, James (Mayme-deceased) Riley, Lee (Franchelle) Riley, and Victor Riley, sisters, Erma Riley Thomas and Gwendolyn (Alonzo) Riley Singleton.

Mary’s life and legacy will continue on through her children: Joann Lowe, Brenda (Richard) Marina-Lewis, Gwendolyn Kelly and Nicole Hammett and stepdaughter, Harriet (George) Tompkins.  She also leaves behind (9) grandchildren: Melinda (Jonathan) Ross Caldwell, William (Leah), Ross III, Diana (Michael) Ross Key, James (Whitney), Ross, Frank (Shanna) Marina III, Jasmine (Quentin) Lozano, Jackie Wesley, Erin Day, Anthony (Catherine) Elton, Jr. , (24) great grandchildren, special cousin Katie Mapp, and a host of relatives and friends.