Obituary of John T. Rivers, Jr.

John Townsend “Bud” Rivers, Jr., 87, husband of Margaret Ann Fidler Rivers to whom he was married for 63 years, died Friday, September 30, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family on his farm. Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late John Townsend Rivers, Sr. and Augusta Jennings Rivers Neyle. Mr. Rivers was a member of Hebron Presbyterian Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon and Elder. He was Co-Owner and President of Rivers Farms. He was a former Vice-Chairman of Sumter County Council, Chairman of the Production Credit Association Board, member of the Soil Conservation Commission, was elected Sumter County Young Farmer of the Year and served on numerous farm association committees. He was a U. S. Army veteran serving in the Korean Conflict. Surviving are his wife of Sumter; two sons, John Townsend Rivers, III (Donna) of Sumter and Lt. Commander Ray F. Rivers, Chaplain, USN (Paula) of Camp Lejeune, NC; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Margaret Hiller and two brothers, L.D. Rivers and Malcolm R. Rivers. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Monday at Hebron Presbyterian Church with Lt. Commander Ray F. Rivers, Chaplain, USN and Rev. Jeremy Howell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers will be E. M. Dubose, David Dubose, Ricky McDaniel, Donald Blanton, William James, Whit James, Ken Reese and Kelly Jackson. The family will receive friends at a celebration of his life immediately following the graveside service at Bethel United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 5575 Lodebar Road, Sumter, SC 29153. Memorials may be made to Salvation Army, P. O. Box 2229, Sumter, SC 29151, to United Ministries of Sumter, P. O. Box 1017, Sumter, SC 29151 or to a charity of one’s choice. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.