Majel S. Rivers

Majel S. Rivers was born to Lummis Cutts Spears and Inez Cox Spears in Brooks County, Georgia in October of 1943 and died April 12, 2021 in Gainesville Georgia after a three-year battle with cancer.  She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Robert H. Rivers, sister Evelyn Strickland and her daughters, Anissa Rivers and Jennifer Rivers and their families; Anissa’s husband Trevor Ramsey and Jennifer’s husband Mark Hendricks and son Mark Hendricks, Jr. 

She loved her family very much and was an extraordinary and compassionate caretaker, teacher and mother.  She instilled a passion for reading and education to her children who she made sure had new books to read and frequent visits to local libraries.  She devoted her life to giving her children many and varied opportunities for learning and development in their lives. She loved her many cat companions over the years and grew fond of Anissa’s dog through many videos over the last year. Her devotion to her family carried us through both joyful and difficult times and will be greatly missed.  

Her lifelong passion for working with children started by obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Valdosta State University and her master’s degree with a reading endorsement from the University of Georgia. She lived for many years in the Chicago area, working almost 40 years as an elementary school teacher and reading recovery specialist.  She worked 20 of those years helping children develop their reading skills to reach their full potential. She loved working with these children and watching them gain confidence and love for reading.  Majel retired from teaching 12 years ago, continuing to enjoy her pastime of reading and collecting children’s and young adult literature, biographies, and mystery novels.  She shared her books with others in her community library, where she donated books and volunteered to work.

Majel was an active church member, Sunday School Director and teacher and was involved in both Adult Choir and Children’s Choir.  She was a Christian and her faith sustained her as she fought cancer and the many difficulties of the treatment process. She found great comfort in the Chaplin, nurses and staff of the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Hospice unit, the Chaplin read Psalm 100 to her and she found peace and comfort in God’s presence and that her place in heaven was prepared. 

In lieu of flowers, Majel chose St. Jude’s Hospital for Children in Memphis 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and Cresswind LL Community Fund 3300 Cresswind Marina Dr SW, Gainesville, GA 30504, as organizations to support in her honor.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel Gainesville, GA www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com .