Mrs. Annie R. Rivers Dailey

Deacon Annie R. Rivers Dailey transitioned peacefully to eternal rest on February 11, 2025, at her home, after a period of declining health. Born on December 4, 1944, in Petersburg, Virginia, she was the fifth of six children born to the late Deacon Cooper Jefferson Rivers and Deaconess Annie Laura Rivers.
Throughout the community, people knew Annie by her nickname "Muffin" – a name that was often more familiar than her given name. She was affectionately called "Ga-Ga" by her grandchildren and son in law and simply "Ma" by her daughters.
Annie was a proud graduate of the Southside High School Class of 1964. She enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie of class reunions and outings throughout the years.
In 1965, Annie married the late Deacon Walter Dailey Jr. Their union was blessed with two daughters. Together, they shared a life filled with love, faith, and dedication to family.
Annie began her professional journey in the X-ray department of the Hiram W. Davis Medical Center before embarking on an over 35-year career as a Unit Secretary in the Emergency Department of Petersburg General Hospital which later moved and became Southside Regional Medical Center. She retired in 2016 after a long, impactful career.
A lifelong member of Sharon Baptist Church, Dinwiddie Virginia, Annie's faith was central to her life. She served faithfully on the Senior Usher Board, the Deaconess Board, and later became a Deacon. She was also an active member of the Daisy Rivers Goodwill Memorial Auxiliary. Annie's spiritual journey was enriched by her worship alongside her daughter and son-in-law at the Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God in Christ, Petersburg, Virginia where she formed many lasting friendships with members there.
Very classy and elegant, with a love for fashion, she had a passion for shopping, always reminding her family, "Never go out looking any old way-you never know who you might meet." Annie also had a deep love for travel, enjoying trips to places such as Myrtle Beach, Florida, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Hawaii, Panama, and the Bahamas. One of her favorite local events was the Pecan Festival at Richard Bland College, where she found joy in mingling with friends in attendance.
Annie's greatest joy came from her family, especially her grandsons. As a proud grandmother, she always had pictures to share and stories to tell about their accomplishments, both in school and in their daily lives. She cherished the title of "Ga-Ga," the name Jeffrey Jr. lovingly gave her when he was just a toddler. Ma looked forward to planning and cooking Sunday dinner every week. Potato salad, fried chicken, ham and sweet potato pie were her specialties! She found great joy in having the whole crew gather for dinner and relax later in front of the TV with full bellies.
Annie was preceded in death by her wonderful, well respected parents Deacon Cooper and Deaconess Annie Rivers who set a strong foundation of faith and hard work for their family; her beloved husband, Deacon Walter Dailey Jr. - a quiet and gentle provider, and her loving siblings, Viola R. Young (Ola Mae), Archie L. (Tony) Rivers, James R. Rivers, Sr. (Moosie) and Gary C. Rivers (Uncle Gary).
She leaves behind cherished memories with her daughters, Traci D. Dodson of Prince George, VA and Iris D. Bolton of Chester, VA; her grandsons, Jeffrey L. Dodson, Jr. of Prince George, VA and Ian W. Bolton of Chester, VA; her son-in- law, Bishop Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr. of Prince George, VA, who was like a son to her; her grandson in love, Marcus Barlow of Petersburg, VA; her brother ; Deacon Raymond J. Rivers of Dinwiddie,VA; sisters in law- Willie Anna Tucker of Dinwiddie, VA and Annie J. Rivers of Baltimore, MD; brother in law; James Dailey of Petersburg, VA.; and her aunt, Anna Rivers Ridley of Chester, VA. She also leaves a host of loving nieces and nephews, including her devoted niece, Iris L. Williams (Nita), cousins, and many other relatives and friends.
The family wishes to thank the team at Amedisys Home Hospice of Blackstone, Virginia for their warm and kind service. If you feel compelled, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Annie's honor to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association.
A viewing will be on Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment – Petersburg, Va.
Celebration Of Life Services For Deacon Annie R. Rivers Dailey will be conducted on Monday, February 17, 2025 at 12noon, at the Sharon Baptist Church, 26804 Fort Emory Rd., North Dinwiddie, VA 23803. Rev. Terry Norman, Pastor, Officiant and Rev. Dr. Herbert W. Anderson, Emeritus, Eulogist, Sharon Baptist Church North Dinwiddie, Va. Interment will follow in the Dinwiddie Memorial Park, 7324 Church Road, Petersburg, Virginia.
Immediate family is asked to assemble at the funeral establishment at 11:00 a.m. on the day of the service.
Professional funeral services have been entrusted to the staff of the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Va. 23803, Bishop Jeffrey L. Dodson Sr., Funeral Director, (804) 732-5959. Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com "Our Family Servicing Your Family"