Riley Dennis

Riley Edward Dennis was born May 14, 1930, in Cagle Mountain, Tenn. He celebrated his 89th birthday with his family at The Meadows in Nashville Tenn., where he resided from October 2018 until his death July 14, 2019. During his battle with brain cancer, he received wonderful and loving care at The Meadows. He is survived by his adored wife of nine years, Colleen Elliott Dennis, of Soddy-Daisy Tenn., and his cherished daughter, Christiana (Christie) Dennis Ingram (Thomas R.) of Nashville, Tenn. Surviving loved ones also include his grandchildren Eric (Cristina), Isaac (Bella), and Andra Ingram; great-grandchildren Isabella, Francesca, and Creed Riley Ingram; stepson Timothy Elliott (Kimberly); former wife Ina Dill Dennis; and countless beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Riley was preceded in death by his parents Isaac Charles and Jane Seals Dennis; siblings Roy, Chester, Vera Skyles, and James; infant son Bruce David with former wife Ina Dill Dennis; stepson John Elliott III; and wife Arlene Crutchfield Dennis. Riley was the youngest of five children and was raised in a loving home, surrounded by the natural beauty of Cagle Mountain. He graduated from Sequatchie County High School in 1948 and from the University of Chattanooga in 1960, with a B.S. degree in Physics. He served in the Air Force from 1952 to 1956 in the Security Force, which helped advance his 36-year career at E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, as an electrical engineer and nuclear physicist (Chattanooga, TN, Wilmington, DE, Charlotte, NC). Riley’s deep love for the Lord remained true and was his comfort and joy until his last breath. Since 2009 he had worshiped with the North Hamilton church of Christ in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn. Several other church of Christ congregations embraced Riley and his family throughout the years (Red Bank in Chattanooga, TN, Cedars in Wilmington, DE, Providence Road in Charlotte, NC, Boone in Boone NC.) Riley’s true legacy is that unconditional pure love that shined bright in his life and that he shared with countless souls whose lives he touched. Without a doubt, his greatest love and source of joy on earth was family, from grand-parents to great-grandchildren. He will be terribly missed by his family and by several close friends. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 22, 2019 at 11 a.m. CDT in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Military Honors. Arrangements are by Standefer-Reed Funeral Home, 50 May Road, Dunlap, TN. The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. CDT and Monday 9 to 11 a.m. CDT. Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com