Obituary
To God be the Glory. Mr. Gary Cooper Rivers, 73, of North Dinwiddie, Virginia, peacefully entered eternal rest on January 1, 2022 at VCU Medical Center, after a period of declining health.
Gary was the youngest child of the late Deacon Cooper Jefferson Rivers and Deaconess Annie Laura Rivers. He attended Dinwiddie Public Schools and was a graduate of the Southside High School Class of 1968. Gary knew the Lord and accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the Sharon Baptist Church, North Dinwiddie, VA.
Gary served as a boiler mechanic for many years, later retiring from Wella Corporation Proctor & Gamble, Henrico County, VA. He previously owned and operated a dump truck and tractor trailer business, and he was proud to have his nephew working closely with him. He was a well-known figure on softball and baseball fields, noting one of his greatest joys as taking his team to the slow-pitch World Series on several occasions. Gary also enjoyed fishing, car racing, good westerns, tennis, basketball, and football - particularly his favorite teams, the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia 76ers.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Deacon Cooper J. and Deaconess Annie L. Rivers; sister, Viola Mae Rivers Young; and brother, Archie L. “Tony” Rivers.
Gary is survived by his two loving and devoted daughters, Dr. Kimberlin Rivers and Dr. Beverly Rivers Godwin (Mark); devoted partner, Cynthia Bowles; two brothers, Raymond J. Rivers (Dorothy) and James R. Rivers, Sr. (Annie); one sister, Annie Rivers Dailey; one aunt, Anna Rivers Ridley; grandchildren, Khalia, Myles, Bryce, Mark, and Treasure.
Affectionately known as “Uncle Gary”, he leaves a host of loving nieces and nephews, among them devoted, Iris “Nita” Williams, Samuel “Sammy Joe” Young, and James “Robert” Rivers, Jr. Gary also leaves cherished memories with cousins, other relatives, and many special friends, to include Moses “Lionel” Ruffin, Willia E. Jones, Lillian “Red” Thomas, Freddie Ellis, Jackie Eldridge, Karen Reed, Eddie Allen, Mac Hawkins, Charles “Buddy” Amick, and James Coleman. Gary was a loving and caring person who embodied a heart of gold. The cherished friends, relatives, and softball team members are countless and far too many to name.
The family wishes to thank Bon Secours Southside Medical Center, Encompass Home Health Services and VCU Medical Center for their care and support.
Services will be held 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 8, 2022, on the grounds of the Sharon Baptist Church, 26804 Fort Emory Rd., Petersburg, VA. Interment will follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park. Family is asked to assemble at his daughter Kimberlin’s residence, 24006 Pinecroft Road North Dinwiddie, VA at 11:45am on the day of the service.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the J.L. Dodson & Sons Funeral Establishment- Petersburg, VA.
For the health and safety of attendees, masks are required at all visitations and services. Attendees are asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Service may be viewed by Live Stream /https://www.jldodsonandsons.com/LiveStream
Professional services entrusted to the staff of the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia 23803, Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Funeral Director (804) 732-5959. Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com Our Family Servicing Your Family”.
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