James Lewis Rivers

November 3, 1929 ~ October 4, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
James Lewis Rivers, 83, of Asheville, died Friday, October 4, 2013 at the St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals.
He was born in Buncombe Co. to the late J. Crawford and Frederika Lewis Rivers.
He graduated from Lee Edwards High School and Mars Hill College and worked as an accountant for the Buncombe County Tax Collectors Office. Mr. Rivers was a longtime member of the NAA, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and was active in the Democratic Party. He was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church where he had managed the church men's softball team and was treasurer of the church preschool; and served in the US Naval Reserves.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Eleanor Garrison Rivers; two daughters, Leslie Elliott and her husband, Rick, and daughters, Madison and Caroline, of N. Myrtle Beach, SC, and Julia Brotherton and her husband, Tom and daughters Sarah and Michelle, of Charlotte.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 12, at 10:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, with Revs. Rob Blackburn and Julie Wilburn-Peeler officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at Lewis Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St., Asheville, NC, 28801.
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the Rivers family.
Our prayers are with you all. Your Daddy was a great man…always saying funny stuff, I remember. Treasure the wonderful memories. May God hold you close and give you peace. Love to all….
Jim was a good fiend and fellow member of Camp 15, Sons of Confederate Veterans. I always enjoyed his company at our monthly meetings. His wit enlivened the meeting and his devotion to the camp, of which he was a charter member, was always apparent. He fulfilled the his responsibility to remember and honor our Confederate ancestors. I was privileged to know Jim. May he rest in peace and his family find comfort in the Lord.
Dear Eleanor,
My condolences to you and your family. With sympathy, Anne Geoghegan
To Eleanor, Julia, Leslie and all the family,
Harrison and I were so sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. We always looked forward to his stories and jokes, and his warm, caring concern and hugs. Hope those wonderful memories bring you comfort, and that God’s love and grace bring peace. You are all in our thougts and prayers.
All our love,
Harrison and Diane