Serena Tumlinson Riley

Serena Tumlinson Riley passed away peacefully on May 9, 2009.

She was the daughter of the late David L. Tumlinson and Virginia Longoria Tumlinson. On her fathers side of the family, Serena was a direct descendent of one of the original 300 families who emigrated to Texas with Stephen F. Austin, and on her mothers side she was a member of one of the areas oldest pioneer families, the Longoria Family. Serena was born in Brownsville on April 17, 1922, and resided here her entire life, until moving to Houston in October 2007, to be closer to her children.

In the 1970s Serena served as the first Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of South Texas. She later also served as the Executive Director of the federal CHORE program, helping elderly citizens stay in their homes. She also was a long-term elected member of the Board of Trustees of South Texas Independent School District. Serena was a member of Brownsvilles First Presbyterian Church for more than 65 years, and a long-standing member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Serena was predeceased by her husband, Hugh Riley, former Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector and former long-time Commander of the National Guard for South Texas. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Virginia Frances Riley.

Serena is survived by her children, daughter Patricia Sagebiel and her husband, Sam Sagebiel, retired in Fredericksburg; son Hugh Riley, Jr., Ph.D., Neuroscience Professor at Baylor University in Waco, and his wife Karen Jahnke, M.D.; and son Tim Riley, a Houston attorney, and his wife, Rita Riley. Serena is also survived by eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as well as a host of other relatives and close friends too numerous to list.

Serena always had a remarkable spirit and served as an inspiration and strong source of support to many relatives, friends, and even recent acquaintances in their times of need. She will truly be missed.

There will be a family visitation from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009, at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home, 945 Palm Blvd., Brownsville. Funeral services will be at Darling-Mouser at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. She will rest for eternity next to her husband at Buena Vista Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, May 11, 2009
6 to 8 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
10:30 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521

Memorial Contributions

St. Judes Children Research Hospital
501 N. St. Jude's Place
Memphis, TN  38105