Mattie Louise Gore Rivers

Mattie Louise Gore Rivers was born on August 13, 1928 in Little River, South Carolina to the late Fred Douglas Gore and Julia Elizabeth Suggs Gore. She attended the Brooksville Elementary School and graduated from Popular Training School in the Wampee Section of Little River. She graduated from cosmetology school in Georgetown, South Carolina. She received her internship under her aunt Nell Owens in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She became a licensed cosmetologist and went on to establish her own business in several locations in Columbia, South Carolina. Among her other achievements, she was graduated from Midlands Tech with certification in printing technology and horticulture. Mattie was first married to Jesse James Lewis. To this union was born a daughter, Linda Diann. Linda became the love of her life. Mattie and Linda lived three years in Germany as well as a year in Fort Hood in Killen, Texas. She later met and married Otis Rivers of Smackover, Arkansas. Mattie and Otis opened O & M Printing Company and provided printing services for many organizations, weddings, and printed programs for local churches. Mattie and Otis loved to travel visiting many major cities in the United States. Mattie was a dedicated member of Chappelle Memorial A.M.E. Church and taught Sunday school and served as a first Sunday usher and was a member of the Steward Board, later Steward Emeritus. She provided loving and nurturing care to all of the little children of the church. She was selected as Woman of the Year in 1979. She was also affiliated with the O.E.S. Queen Ester Chapter #1 and a charter member of the Golden Circle. Mattie is survived by her husband, Otis Rivers, of over fifty years and daughter Linda Byers (William). Also surviving are two brothers, Howard Gore (Dianne), and Fred Gore, Jr. (Rosetta) of Columbia, South Carolina, and one half sister Halestine Gore-Phillips of Nannett, NY; one granddaughter, Kimberly Alexander (George), three great-grand children, Whitney Hagwood (Emon), George C. Alexander (Tunisia), and George S. Alexander of Fayetteville, NC. She is predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Frink and brother Ulman Gore. She is also survived by nieces Rachel Washington, Van Evans, Lillian Myler and nephews, James Frink, Vinnie Gore, Howard Gore, Jr., Vincent Gore, Kevin Gore, Lisa and Fred Gore III. She is blessed to have four great-great grandchildren. Many other family members include in-laws Gladys McHenry (Alvernon) of Camden, Arkansas, Ethel Bond (Milton-deceased) of Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Zettie Rivers, Michigan, niece Tiffany Hamilton and nephews Gerald McHenry, Doug and David Rivers and a host other relatives and friends. Mattie never met a stranger and was admired for her many talents.

Mattie Louise Gore Rivers

August 13, 1928 - April 12, 2015