Frank Rives Obituary

Frank Thomas Rives

Decatur

Frank Thomas Rives, 90, passed away August 3, 2014 at Mississippi State Veterans Home in Kosciusko, MS. He was born March 4, 1924 in Tuscola, MS in Leake County, as the eldest of four children to Frank N. and Olivia Thomas Rives.

He graduated from Lena High School in 1939 and from Clarke College in Newton in 1942. While a student at Clarke College he met Jean Mason, who later became his wife in 1946. In May of 1942, in WWII conflict, he entered the Army Air Force. Mr. Rives served four years in WWII and was supply sergeant in the South Pacific Theater and served in the occupation forces in Japan until April 1946. He then entered Mississippi College and graduated with a B.S. in mathematics in 1948. Frank and his wife, Jean both taught school in several places before he returned to college to get his M.S. degree from Ole Miss in 1952. His son, Dr. F. David Rives, was born to the couple in 1950 while living in Union, where Frank coached and taught at Union High School. In 1952, the family moved to Southwest Junior College in Summit, MS and he taught for a year before going to East Central Community College in July 1953. He began teaching mathematics and physics in 1953 and rose to become Dean of Admissions and Records at East Central Community College. He was active in the life of East Central Community College and continued to teach adult night classes well past his retirement as Dean of Admissions and Records. He has resided in Decatur since 1953.

Dean Rives was an active Christian and member of Clarke-Venable Baptist Church in Decatur. He taught the Pals Sunday School Class for over four decades, served as Chairman of the Deacons and Chairman of the Building Committee for the present sanctuary of Clarke-Venable and was church treasurer.

He lost his wife, Jean, to cancer in February of 1980, and found the second love of his life in his present wife, Mary Lowery Rives, formerly of Forest. He and Mary have had 32 wonderful years together.

He is survived by his son, Dr. David Rives and wife Diane of Newton, step daughter, Dr. Mary Sue Lowery Bernhard and husband Eric of San Diego, CA and a step son, Paul Lowery and wife Heather, of Union.

Dean Rives is also survived by seven grandchildren: Katie Rives Paczak and her husband Dr. Greg T. Paczak of Madison; Emily Rives Carty and husband Major Chuck Carty of Merritt Island, FL; William B. Rives and his wife Whitley Rives of Hernando: Chance Lowery and Brant Lowery, of Union; Lauren Bernhard and Miranda Bernhard of San Diego, CA. He also leaves behind six great grandchildren: William Carty, Jason Carty, John Martin Paczak, Becca Carty, Millie Ann Paczak, and Thane Rives.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, W.B. "Boots" Rives, Ralph E. Rives, Sr.; and Lexie Carol Rhinewalt Allen.

Pallbearers include: Chance Lowery, Brant Lowery, Will Rives, Steve Rives, Phil Rhinewalt and Eddie Rives

Honorary Pallbearers: Brad and Mary Tucker, Joe and Carolyn Clark, Lou Clark and Linda Pierce

Milling Funeral Home in Union, MS are in charge of arrangements. A visitation time will be at Clarke-Venable Baptist Church in Decatur from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 6th and the service will follow immediately at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Rev. Mark Vincent and Rev. David Rives will officiate. Interment will be at Bethel Cemetery, Newton, MS. In lieu of flowers, donations can be to Clarke-Venable Baptist Church, P.O. Box 308, Decatur, MS 39327, or the Baptist Children's Village, P.O. Box 27 in Clinton, MS 39060-0027.