Verneda M. (Walkup) Riffe

VERNEDA MAE (Walkup) RIFFE

Verneda Mae (Walkup) Riffe was born May 7, 1927 in Rainelle, West Virginia and departed this life on December 1, 2025 at her home in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

She was the daughter of Roy B. and Ruth Lillie (Ripley) Walkup.

After graduation from high school, Verneda joined the United States Navy and was enrolled in the Cadet Nursing Corp assigned to Lake View Hospital in Danville, Illinois, where she eventually attained the rank of Lieutenant. While stationed in Danville, Verneda met a young Army/Airforce man, William E. Riffe, who was stationed at Chanute Field also in Danville, Illinois, and 11 days later, on January 15, 1946 they were united in marriage – a union that lasted for 64 years before William’s passing on June 23, 2010.

After Verneda and William completed their military service, they moved to Lafayette, Indiana were William attended Purdue University. In 1967 the Riffe family moved to Pleasant Hill to make their home.

In addition to being a nurse, Verneda at one time served as a police officer for Grandview, Missouri. Verneda and William also owned and operated the Riffe Tax Service.

Verneda thoroughly enjoyed just sitting on her porch, watching and feeding the birds and squirrels. One squirrel in particular would even scratch at her back door when he wanted to be fed.

Verneda was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Riffe; her parents, Roy and Ruth Walkup; son, Jimmy Riffe; brothers, Harold and Ronnie Walkup and sister, Helen Bossung.

She is survived by one son, Roy Riffe and wife Susie of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; one daughter, Carol Todd of San Antonio, Texas; brother, Donny Walkup of Blue Springs, Missouri; sisters, Sandi Lynch of Chicago, Illinois and Ruth Stath of Indiana; grandchildren, Frances Guillen, Gary Todd and Jeff Riffe; great-grandchildren, Latisha Riso and husband Richard and, Ricardo Guillen, Jr. and wife Victoria; great-great-grandchildren, Harmony and Eleanor Riso, Darvin, Dom and Ashia Solis and Carol Josephine Todd; her loving friends, Elaine Emond and Jason Boman.

Graveside services for Verneda Mae (Walkup) Riffe will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 11, 2025 at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with Rev. Tim Casteel officiating.