Marsha Gail Pile

Marsha Gail (Riley) Pile, 86-year-old Laverne resident, went to her heavenly home on October 5, 2024, at her home surrounded by her daughters and family. 

Marsha Gail Riley was born on May 12, 1938, to Leon and Robbie Riley in Mayfield, Kentucky. She attended Benton public schools. Marsha was full of life and adventurous growing up. She loved telling stories of roaming the hills of Marshall County, such as walking barefoot to Clarks River to play with others. As she got older, she had the privilege of driving around Benton with the newest cars since her father owned the local car dealership. She graduated from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, with an education degree.

While working as a teacher in Memphis, Tennessee, Marsha was set up on a blind date to a Navy ball with a handsome fighter pilot named Ross Pile. When she saw him dressed up in his Navy uniform, it was love at first sight because he was the cutest thing she had ever seen. They were married on December 28, 1964.

Ross and Marsha moved to San Diego, California, where Ross was stationed. She built many friendships with Ross’s Navy friends and their wives. After Ross returned from Vietnam, the couple moved back to Ross’s hometown of May, Oklahoma, where Ross farmed and taught at May and Laverne schools. They welcomed two daughters, Andrea Gayle and Allison Renee.

They eventually moved to a house on the southwest side of Laverne. Marsha enjoyed staying home and raising her daughters. Her greatest desire was to raise her girls in the church and have a love for the Lord. In 1988, she went to work for Laverne Public Schools as an elementary teacher. She retired in 2001. In 2022, Ross and Marsha moved to Weatherford to be closer to their daughters.

Marsha’s “genteel Southern charm” and huge smile was a big part of Laverne for many years. She volunteered her time to many school and community activities. She was also a member of many civic groups, including the Delphian Club.

Marsha loved her family. She loved Ross. She always told people she just wanted to be known as “Mrs. Ross Pile.” She supported his farming and enjoyed taking meals out to the workers during wheat harvest. She was proud of all her daughters’ accomplishments through high school, college, and beyond. She loved her grandchildren immensely. She was at all their activities, including barrel races, tennis matches, cross country meets, football games, and musical performances. She loved taking trips with the whole family, including skiing and the beach. She also was an incredible cook, and family and friends all enjoyed her famous pies.

At an early age, Marsha surrendered her life to Christ. She lived a life of service to others and to the church. Every part of her life was dedicated to loving the Lord and raising her family in the church. She was an instrumental part of Laverne First Baptist Church, serving in many roles through many decades. She was a talented vocalist and regularly sang specials during church service.

She is survived by her husband, Ross, of the home; daughter, Andrea, of Oklahoma City; daughter, Allison, and her husband, Joel Kendall, of Weatherford; one sister, Beverly Solomon, of Benton, Kentucky; grandchildren, Tanner Fields of Oklahoma City, Kinsey Fields of Denver, Colorado, Brody Fields of Oklahoma City, Lane Kendall of Stillwater, and Ethan Kendall of Fayetteville, Arkansas; nephews Todd Solomon, John Solomon, Kerry Welch, and Ron Welch; nieces Teri Burkett, Sandy Myers, Barbie Pile, and Kim Hamilton, brother-in-law Frank Page of Buffalo, brother-in-law Lee Pile, and wife Etta, of Lexington, Kentucky, and many family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Robbie, brother-in-law Jim Solomon, and sister-in-law Charlene Page.