99 years

Yesterday my family laid to rest my great grandmother. She was 99 years old. Lessie Smith Briley.

From the High Point Enterprise

ARCHDALE — Mrs. Lessie Smith Briley 99, former resident of Lake Dr. died Sunday morning at 3:10 a.m. in the GrayBrier Nursing and Retirement Center.

Mrs. Briley was born June 26, 1910 in Guilford County a daughter of Willard A. and Etta Smith. She had been a resident of High Point and Archdale most of her life and was retired from Adams Millis Hosiery. She was a graduate of High Point High School in 1928 and a member of Welch Memorial United Methodist Church. She was a former Sunday School Teacher in the Children’s Dept and Assistant Teacher of the Adult Bible Class. Mrs. Briley was a former choir member and past president of United Methodist Women. She was married to Roscoe Leroy Briley who preceded her in death in 1987.

Surviving are 1 daughter; Mrs. Sylvia Paul and husband Joel of Archdale; daughter-in-law Mrs. Carol G. Briley of High Point; Sister-in-law Mrs. Ruth Smith of Florida; 5 Grandchildren; 4 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Briley was preceded in death by a son Richard L. Briley, 3 Brothers and 3 Sisters.


Mammaw Briley as we called her, was as classy a lady as they come. She drove until she was 92 years old. One of the funniest things I remember about her is one of her dogs Winston. Winston was a cocker spaniel. He came to her normal but as time progressed he took on the appearance of a color phase black bear. Winston was a big fan of hot dogs and mammaw let him endulge him self. When my grandfather(her son) died, she sat by his side and ran her hands through his hair and called him her baby. She didnt remember a lot of us at that point, but she knew her son. She truly lived her life dedicated to God. Mammaw was the cornerstone of the legacy we try to up hold. Not many people make it to 99, but then again not many people walk the straight and narrow like her either. I am honored to be her great grandson and I hope to live my life like her. This loss does not sting, but it is cause for rejoicing. There is no doubt she fought the good fight,she finished the race, she kept the faith, this life ended, but she received another.

1 Corinthians 15:55 Where oh death is your victory? Where oh death is your sting?