Margaret Rivers

Services for Margaret Rebecca Rhodes Rivers will be held Monday, March 4, 2019, at 11 a. m. from McClain-Hays Chapel with Bro. Wayne Sellers, Bro. Allen Shortridge, Bro. Bobby Dawson and Bro. Jonathan Reed, Jr., officiating.  Burial will follow in Forrest Grove Cemetery in Lawrence County.  Visitation will be held Sunday, March 3, 2019, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Home.  McClain-Hays Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Mrs. Rivers, 71, of Union, died Saturday, March 2, 2019, at her home.  Margaret Rebecca Rhodes Rivers was born to J C Rhodes and Mary Alma Bilbro Rhodes on May 25, 1947, in Morton, Scott County, MS.  Margaret attended Forest Elementary/Forest High School, where she graduated and received her high school diploma from Forest High School on May 25, 1965.  In 1967 she received her A. A. degree from Whitworth College in Brookhaven, MS. Margaret attended her home church at Forest Methodist Church, Forest, Scott County, MS, with her family from approximately 1947-1959, and was saved at a revival under the preaching of Rev. McMclennan.  Her local pastor was Rev. Gilbert Oliver.  In the late ‘50s, Margaret’s parents worked in establishing a new Methodist church in Forest.  In 1960 almost all her family joined the Methodist Protestant Church. She married Thadeus Terry Rivers on December 18, 1966, in Forest, Scott County, MS.  They have made their home in Union since 1969.  Their quiver is full with four children, John Mark (Lisa) of Union, MS, Margaret Elizabeth Reed (Jon) of Mammoth Spring, AR, Rachael DeAnne Dunn (Ken) of Edinburg, MS, and preceded in death by daughter, Rebecca Lynn Rivers.  They also have nine grandchildren, Scott Rivers (Katie), Bradley Rivers (Breona), Austin Rivers; Jonathan Reed, Jr. (Tina), Laura Parnell (Josh), Christi Ann Woodson (Laynne), Katie Reed, Daniel and Aaron; their seven great-grandchildren, Elliana,  Abigail and Lincoln Alexander Reed, Titus and Joy Parnell, Paisley Grace and Rylon Rivers.  Margaret is also survived by a sister, Mary Lynn Rhodes Bagley (Freddie).  Margaret attended Meridian Community College, receiving her Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate in December of 1989.  She loved nursing with a passion and was employed in various capacities until retirement in July, 2013.      In 2006, with Terry’s help and expertise, she began learning archery and quickly began winning awards at local and regional archery competitions.  She and Terry enjoyed doing things together, especially hunting and 3-D competitions.  Margaret taught private piano instruction most of her adult life.  She enjoyed sharing her talents by serving as pianist or organist in various churches, or singing in the church or community choirs in this area.       Margaret and Terry, “Forever Sweethearts”, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on December 18, 2016, with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of friends and relatives. Margaret’s favorite Scripture verse:   Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself in the Lord; and He shall give the desires of thine heart”.             She was also preceded in death by parents, J C Rhodes and Mary Alma Bilbro Rhodes; brothers, John Turner Rhodes and Fred Thomas “Dusty” Rhodes.            Pallbearers are Ricky Day, Brian Stokes, Justin Horn, Bill Tolbert, Neel Ferrell, Bradley Rivers and Tracy Jackson at the chapel; and grandsons at the cemetery.