Betty Rose Hunt Rivers Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Perry Funeral Home - Newark on Jan. 19, 2022.
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She was our Family "Rose". We have other flowers in our family garden; however, Betty was our rose. That one beautiful flower that for many reasons was different from the rest.
Who was this "Rose?" Well, we could throw out some "Did You Knows?" For instance, did you know she had a talent for sewing and could make clothes with no pattern needed? She put on many a fashion show displaying her beautiful creations. She also, as many know, had a love of hats and shoes. She wore some beautiful hats. Did you know that many of them she reconstructed herself? Quite often she would buy a hat, come home, and deconstruct it. Then she would put her spin on it, add her special touches and reconstruct it. Now that's one bad bleep Sista!!
Let's go back to the beginning. Betty was the second child of the late Ethel Maude Trawick and Noah James Hunt. She was born in Dothan, Alabama on February 29th, 1940, thus making her a leap year baby. You see that? She was something special right from the start. She had several siblings: One brother James Artis (Anna) and two sisters, Henrietta (Rudolph/deceased), and Mary (Deceased). She was married at an early age to the Late Willie James Rivers Sr. This loving couple was blessed with nine children: Michelle (Sharon) Gilmore (Douglas), Willie James Rivers Jr. (Junie/Deceased), Frankie Kevin Rivers (Debra), Jean (Jeannie) Ethel Emanuel (James), Stanley Rivers (Synathina /Deceased), The twins: Ramona (Mona) Rivers (Deceased), Renee (Nay) Rivers, Lorenzo (Reny/Deceased) Rivers, and Dimita (Mita) Rivers.
Betty loved children and helping others so much that later in life she adopted three more. Nakia Rivers, Jasmine Rivers, and Breanna Rivers. Due to all this overflowing of love, at the time of her death she had 52 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren.
Betty's mother, Ethel Maude, was the head of our family. When she passed away Betty stepped into the role. She was Momma, Nanna, Aunt, Sis, Cousin, and her childhood nickname, Plug. She was also a friend. She was our everything. She knew and loved our parents before they were our parents. She saw us be born and watched us grow up. She taught us things, made us laugh, and wiped our tears. She was with us and there for us as we lost parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and children. Our losses were heartbreaking, but we still had Betty. She was truly the Matriarch of the family. If you were planning something you'd best run it by Betty. Whether she could make it was irrelevant. The point was she knew about whatever it was. We've never known a moment that she wasn't in our lives......until now. She knew what "Between the Sapp and the Bark" meant, do you? Betty was also good with numbers. As a result, whatever goal she set for herself or her family she obtained. She was a loving, gracious hostess. There was always room at her house. So many delicious dinners, cookouts, and Sunday breakfasts. Did someone say Salmon cakes and homemade biscuits?
We may not have any more of those gatherings for now, but we do have the memories. She has left a legacy behind just for us. What will we do with it, continue to grow it, or let it die? She may not be a part of any reunions for now but Oh, One Day... there's going to be A Great Getting' Up Mornin!! A Truly Epic Reunion!! Not today but later. Whenever Betty would part company, she wouldn't say goodbye. She would say " Don't say goodbye say See You later."
Betty Rose, See You Later...
In addition to siblings, children, grands and great grands she also leaves behind one last Uncle, Jerry Trawick (Janet), 4 Aunts, and too many Nephews, Nieces, and Cousins to mention.
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