Mardell Rivers
January 15, 1921 ~ June 6, 2010
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Mardell S. Rivers, 89, of Riceville Rd., Asheville, died on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at her residence.
A native of Saucier, MS, Mrs. Rivers was a daughter of the late John Langston and Clara Saucier Scarborough. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Ellis Rivers.
Mrs. Rivers was a graduate of the Kings Daughters Hospital Nursing School. She was a member of the Magnolia Garden Club, and a member of First Baptist Church, in Greenville, MS.
This Irish blessing was found among her many beloved books handwritten on a worn piece of paper:
May the road rise up to meet you,
may the wind always be to your back,
may the sun shine warm on your face,
may the rain fall soft on your land,
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Mrs. Mardell Rivers was a spirited and independent matriarch to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She instilled in them a love and respect for plants and animals, a sense of social responsibility and a strong work ethic. She dedicated her life to serving others, first as a nurse and then as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She found fulfillment not as the center of attention, but by assisting others in their pursuits. Her pleasures in life were simple including her daily crossword puzzle, reading mystery novels, sharing afternoon coffee with a friend, admiring her birds and chatting with her family. She was deeply loved and will be forever missed.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Carol Rivers; sons, William Gale Rivers, Robert Hayward Rovers. And John Ellis Rivers, Jr.; sister, Bess Scarborough; brothers, Edward H., Hayward, Jack, Lee, Bill, and L.N. Scarborough; seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
A funeral service for Mrs. Rivers will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Boone Funeral Home, in Leland, MS. Interment will follow in Leland Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250.
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Rd. is assisting her family locally.
We miss ‘Grandma’ already.
Her quick wit, willingness to do anything for anybody, and easy love toward us all are just a few of the things that will surely make her hard to forget.
If all of us lived our lives like Mardell, the world would truly be a much better place: trite, but so true!
She leaves a great legacy and leaves us with the question: how can we live every day a little more like Mardell, because she did it right.
All our love to Nancy, Meredith, Dwayne, Scott, and Jamie,
Kelly and Erik Severson
Anna Fisher and Antoine Traisnell
Ken Noggle and Gwen Fisher
Nancy,
We’re so sorry for the loss of your mother. Even though we didn’t see ‘Grandma’ on a regular basis, she was always (and will continue to be) in our thoughts. She had the ‘spunk’ that we can only hope for in our later years.
We know you will miss her terribly, as she was a great companion, cook and babysitter. We truly hope you can find comfort in the wonderful recent memories the two of you shared. We are thinking of you and your children and praying God will give you all strength through this difficult time.
Nancy,
We are thinking of you during this difficult time. You are like your mother a very strong person.
Loving thoughts to you and your family.
Our Love,
Rod & Marie Rodman
Dear Nancy,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Your Mom was a wonderful person. I only met her once, but you spoke of her so much and that made her ‘wonderful’ forever. Your friend, Teresa