Beth Riley Mann

Celebrating the Life of

Sarah Elizabeth "Beth" Riley Mann

February 1, 1949 — March 2, 2026

Sarah Elizabeth "Beth" Riley Mann, 77, of Sikeston, Missouri, died Monday, March 2, 2026, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born February 1, 1949, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Albert Chilion "Dub" Riley and Edna Louise Masterson Riley. She grew up in New Madrid, where she attended Immaculate Conception Parish School in her early years. She later attended the Lausanne School for Girls in Germantown, Tennessee, graduating in 1967, and went on to study at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis).

On February 13, 1967, she married David Cottingham Mann of New Madrid. He preceded her in death on October 29, 2025.

Following their marriage, Beth and David lived in Lawton, Oklahoma, where David was stationed with the United States Army. After his honorable discharge, they returned to Southeast Missouri and made their home in Sikeston, where David established his law practice while Beth devoted herself to caring for her home and family.

Beth was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sikeston. She lived a life marked by curiosity, boldness, and adventure. From childhood she possessed a deep love of animals, especially horses, and for more than thirty years she owned and cared for many of them. She was also fascinated by archaeology, enjoying the search for arrowheads and traveling with friends to Indian reservations. Above all, she cherished her family and loved them fiercely, and her warmth, curiosity, and spirited nature will be remembered by all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Mann Ferguson and Reade Ferguson; her grandchildren, William David Ferguson and Lillian Elizabeth Ferguson, all of Sikeston; her sister and brother-in-law, Virginia Louise Riley James and R.D. James; her nephew, Riley James; together with a number of cousins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her niece, Virginia Elizabeth James.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sikeston, with Father Colby Elbert, pastor, serving as celebrant.

Entombment will follow in the family mausoleum at Evergreen Cemetery in New Madrid.

Honorary pallbearers will be Reade Ferguson, William Ferguson, Riley James and R.D. James.

McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, plants, or gifts, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Sikeston Paws, 1900 Compress Road, Sikeston, MO 63801.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

Her warmth, curiosity, and adventurous spirit will be remembered with love by all who knew her.