Wilma Eugene Rivers

Deacon Wilma Eugene Rivers, the son of the late Kato and Albertha Gibbs Rivers, was born April 15, 1939 in Walterboro, SC. Later his parents moved to Beaufort, SC, where he spent most of his life.

He attended public school in Beaufort, SC. He left school early to start working to help his mother pay bills.  In 1981, Deacon Wilma Eugene Rivers and his wife, Louise Barnes Rivers, left Beaufort, SC to move to Anderson, SC with four of their nine children.  Not knowing anything about where they were going, the Rivers made Anderson their home for the rest of their lives.  They were truly blessed by God in Anderson, SC. They joined the Wilson Calvary Church family and began making Anderson their home.  Deacon Rivers was a very hard worker and made many sacrifices for his family. He retired from American Rivets and Screws in Anderson, SC.

Deacon Rivers taught all of his children to have the highest respect for their mom. He also instilled in his children to have love for one another and if your brother or sister gets lost (in their ways in life), do your best to bring them back home.  Deacon Rivers believed in his faith and working hard in life. He taught his children that prayer and having faith will work, but faith without work is not enough. 

Deacon Rivers passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026.  But his legacy will live on his the lives he touched forever.  He wasn't a perfect man, but he was a godly man. He truly set the way for his family through examples and had high expectations for his children.  He loved his wife and children.  He also had a great love for his daughters-in-law as daughters and his son-in-law as a son. He also cherished and loved all his grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly. He left a impact on their lived though his teachings, love, and kindness.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Louise Barnes Rivers; daughters, Naomi Barnes Singleton and Norma Dean Rivers; sons, Stanley Rivers and Earnest Rivers; daughter-in- law, Charlene Rivers; his parents, Kato and Albertha Rivers; four brothers, Apostle Kato Rivers, Thomas "Hammer" Rivers, Willie James Rivers, Sr., and Jasper "Jackie" Singleton; and two sisters, Alice Rivers Ensley and Arimetha (Sister) Howard.

Deacon Wilma Eugene Rivers leaves to cherish fond memories, his daughters, Minister Sandra Cannon of Anderson SC and Marylin Smalls of Beaufort, SC; special daughter, Rosalyn Dixon of Charlotte, NC; sons, Earl Rivers of El Paso, TX, Albert (Earlean) Rivers of Warsaw, NC, Reverend Roger Lee (Rev. Shawn) Rivers of Elberton, GA, Willie Eugene Rivers of Charlotte, NC, Henry (Pomzella) Lee Singleton, Sr. of Seabrook, SC; a host of loving grandchildren and great grandchildren; a special nephew, Leroy (Valerie) Speaks of Anderson, SC; special niece, Lana Nicole Delaney (Charlie) Stor of Maryland; two sisters, Gladys Rivers of Beaufort, SC and Rev. Gloria (Rev. Samuel) Houston of Beaufort, SC; one brother, Leon Rivers of Hampton, SC; sisters-in-law, Alice Rebecca Delaney of Brooklyn, NY, Prophetess Leola Rivers of Beaufort, SC, and Marie Rivers of Yemassee, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026 at Wilson Calvary Baptist Church.  The interment will follow at Westveiw Cemetery.  Public viewing 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

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