Rev. Rivers

Rev. Ralph Oliver Rivers, age 95, of 205 Florence St., Graham passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Hospice Home. A native of Chesterfield County, SC, he was the husband of the late Alease Loy Rivers and son of the late John Braxton and Cornelia Neeley Rivers. He was a member of Andrews Memorial Baptist Church. In 1955, Ralph Rivers, being led of the Lord, began a cottage prayer service. Later that same year a small building was built on a donated lot and on October 23, 1955 the first service was held in the Community Baptist Mission. In November of 1956, Ralph Rivers was ordained by Glen Hope Baptist Church and called as permanent pastor of Community Baptist Church. Since that meager beginning, with new auditoriums, additional parking and a picnic shelter being built, it grew into a church with approximately 250 members. Survivors include 2 sons, Kenneth M. Rivers of Clover, SC and Haywood R. Rivers and wife Renee of Burlington; daughter, Sandra Kay R. Allred of Graham; 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; stepfather, Henry Johnson; brothers; Bennie Rivers, Chesley Rivers, John D. Rivers, Paul Rivers and sisters; Lillie R. Johnson and Ruth R. Friddle Sanders. Funeral services will be held at 6:00pm Monday, March 11, 2013 at ANDREWS MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH by Rev. Tommy Willis, Rev. Floyd Repass and Rev. Lamar Mooneyham. The graveside service will be held at 10:00am Tuesday in Pine Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3-5pm Sunday at COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH and at other times the home of his daughter, 201 Florence St. Graham. The family asked that all ministers attending the service sit as honorary pallbearers. The family would like to thank the staff of the Hospice Home, CNA's of CHORE and the "Are you OK" program at the Graham Fire Department.