Rosanna Riffe Looney
On Saturday, November 29, 2025, Rosanna Riffe Looney of Crab Orchard, West Virginia, passed away following a brief illness. She was 91 years of age.

The daughter of the late Charles Walton and Alma Meadows Riffe, Rosanna was born on December 23, 1933, in Mabscott, West Virginia.

Rosanna spent her childhood in Crab Orchard, West Virginia. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1951 and continued her education at Marshall College, now Marshall University, where she received both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education. While attending Marshall, she would meet her future husband, Ramon "Ray" Arden Looney of Spencer, West Virginia. They would marry on May 25, 1957.

After completing their college careers, they moved to the Atlanta, Georgia, area where Ray began a long career with the U.S. General Accounting Office. Rosanna, Ray, and their son, Russell, resided in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Rosanna continued her love of 4-H by working as an agent for the Gwinnett County Georgia 4-H agency. Rosanna and Ray returned to this area in 1992, making their home in Crab Orchard. They became active members of the Crab Orchard Baptist Church where Rosanna sang with the choir, served as president of the Friendship Sunday School class for many years, and was active with American Baptist Women where she served as president of the Raleigh Baptist Women's Association. Rosanna also wrote children's literature for the West Virginia Baptist Association. Rosanna treasured her cousins who gathered as often as possible to play Rook.

Rosanna grew to know and love the residents and staff at The Villages at Greystone Assisted Living. Special thanks to the staff who administered to the health needs of the residents while also showing kindness and compassion to the residents. A special thanks to Betsy and her staff who made daily Bingo a bright spot in each day.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Looney, in 2007. Also preceding her in death were siblings: infant Charles Walton Riffe, Jr., Ruth Astle, Ray Riffe, Carl Riffe, Arnold Gene Riffe, Bill Riffe, Earl Howard Riffe, Sandra Smith; in-laws: Dave Astle, Eleanor Jean Riffe, Shirley Jean Riffe, Marcella Riffe, Judy Riffe.

She is survived by her son, Russell Looney of Franklin, Tennessee; siblings and in-laws: Hilda Jean Riffe, Mary Ellen & Maywood Ellifritt, Vivian Riffe, Jan & Margaret Riffe, O. Loretta Riffe & Ron Paul, Robert Riffe, Don Kyle Riffe, Rachel & Dan Patton, S. D. Butch Riffe, Rebecca Riffe. Many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends will also remember Rose with deep affection and fond memories.

Rosanna commented many times how much she appreciated the efforts of all her friends and relatives for the effort they made to encourage her in her declining years and, speaking for Rosanna, a special thank-you is extended to the entire family-but especially to the nieces and nephews who made a special point to visit Rosanna at Greystone-your visits, phone calls, gifts, cards, and flowers were all treasured by Rosanna-but most of all, your love and compassion were her greatest treasure.

Funeral service will be at 12 noon on Saturday, December 6, at Melton Mortuary, Beckley, West Virginia, with Pastor Dewey Lowe and Pastor Dan Patton. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley.

The following family members and men of the church will serve as pallbearers: Adam Schlenker, Andy Fama, John Riffe, Clark Swepston, Mark Rubin, and Bill Wood.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift to Crab Orchard Baptist Church; Outreach Building Fund at PO Box 446, Crab Orchard WV, 25827.