Josephine Magdalene Rivers

Mrs. Josephine M. Rivers, 91, a native of Florida and resident of McIntosh, Alabama passed away Sunday, November 16, 2014 at Specialty Hospital of Meridian in Meridian, Mississippi. At an early age Mrs. Rivers moved to Mobile where she was raised by her Grandmother along with her five brothers and sisters. After becoming an adult and marrying her husband she relocated to the Choctaw community and became very active in the advancement of the Native People. One of her first accomplishments was becoming the first PTA president of Reed’s Chapel School. There along with other leaders of the Reed’s Chapel Community they begin to push for better education and advancement for its citizens. In 1976, Mrs. Rivers recognized the need for the local children with mental and physical disabilities to obtain an education. To bring awareness to their needs, she took a group of these kids to the state capital in Montgomery. This became instrumental in establishing the Exceptional Children’s School of Washington County. Not only did she provide transportation, she also served as a teacher and director. In 1978, she became the outreach coordinator for the Creek Nation East of the Mississippi (now known as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians) and set up the first office to serve the Choctaw community. Along with Jennie Dees, its executive director they established the first programs for the elderly and disabled. After building a foundation with these programs and under the leadership of Father Tom Weiss, she also took on the task of an outreach coordinator for Catholic Social Services funded by the Arch Diocese of Mobile. In 1981, Mrs. Rivers won the prestigious Woman of the Year Award from the office of the Governor as a distinguished woman in the state of Alabama for her many of years of dedicated service. With all of these activities she still made time for her family and had a strong affection for the members of Rivers Baptist Church where a building is dedicated there in her honor. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and eventually having to leave her home and stay with family, her love and devotion remained in the community that she called home. Mama Jo, as she was affectionately known was preceded in death by her husband, Gamage B. Rivers, Sr. and grandson, Jack Eric Rivers. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Florence E. Johnston; seven sons, Gamage B. “Jack” Rivers, Jr., Dale Rivers, John D. Rivers, Winston G. Rivers, Willard W. Rivers, Peter A. Rivers and Luke V. Rivers; thirty grandchildren, fifty great grandchildren, eight great great grandchildren, other relatives and friends. The wake will be from 6-9pm Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at Freeman Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 1pm Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at Reed’s Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Horace Weaver and Rev. Samuel Rivers officiating. Burial will be in Reed’s Chapel Cemetery. Online condolences may be given at www.freemancitronelle.com. Freeman Funeral Home – Citronelle, Alabama.