By Marnita Coleman
Special to the AFRO
Church of God in Christ (COGIC) General Supervisor Emerita Mother Willie Mae Rivers, a revered leader and a beloved figure within the faith community, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 26, 2024.
A viewing will be held on Aug. 5 at Calvary Church of God in Christ, located in Goose Creek, S.C. at 302 Jeffs Circle. Mother Rivers’ viewing will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a service to celebrate her life and work.
Photo: Photo courtesy of Church of God in Christ
The national homegoing service for Mother Rivers will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston, S.C., hosted by the Church of God in Christ, headquartered in Memphis, Tenn.
Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard conveyed his heartfelt condolences about the death in a statement sent to the AFRO, saying “Mother Willie Mae Rivers was a beacon of light and a pillar of strength in the Church of God in Christ.”
“Her unwavering dedication to the work of the Lord and her exemplary leadership have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless people,” continued Sheard. “Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations, giving us comfort. We will sorely miss her, but her spirit will remain with us forever.”
According to information in her obituary, released by Rivers Funeral Home, Mother Willie Mae Smalls Rivers was 98 at the time of her death. The Goose Creek, S.C. native was born on Feb. 20, 1926.
“At the tender age of five, she sang her first solo at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church (North Charleston),” reads Mother Rivers’ obituary. “By nine years old, Willie Mae was singing on Mt. Zion’s adult choir, teaching catechism class, representing her church at the AME District Sunday School Conventions and giving the official report in front of the Mt Zion congregation upon her return.”
As it was more accepted in her day, Mother Rivers, then known as Willie Mae Smalls, became a wife at the young age of 15 on June 26, 1941.
Together, she and her husband, David Rivers, gave life to 12 children during a marriage that spanned five and a half decades. Her husband died on May 15, 1997.
In 1946, Mother Rivers experienced “a profound spiritual awakening and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.” She then helped co-found Calvary Church Of God In Christ (Goose Creek), along with others from the community who shared this life-changing experience,” according to her obituary.
Not long after starting Calvary COGIC, Mother Rivers was elevated to the position of “Church Mother.” She was just 20 years old.
By 1968, Mother Rivers was serving as state supervisor of the department of women for the COGIC’s South Carolina Jurisdiction. At the time of her death she had served in numerous departments, serving in a variety of roles and capacities.
According to information released by COGIC, the following roles were held by Mother Rivers on a national level:
- International Marshal Women’s Convention
- Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors
- Member, Executive Board
- Member, Screening Committee
- Member, Program Committee General Church
- Coordinator – Leadership Conference
- Instructor – District Missionaries Class
- Member, Steering Committee – Women’s Convention
- Chairperson – Exhibits – Women’s Convention
- Third Assistant General Supervisor
- Second Assistant General Supervisor
- First Assistant General Supervisor
Though she held all of these different roles, she still made time to make an impact on an individual level.
Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis, the current general supervisor for COGIC’s international department of women, said in a statement sent to the AFRO, “Mother Rivers was not only a mentor, but also a dear friend.”
“Her wisdom, grace and unwavering faith were evident in everything she did,” continued Lewis. “She was a true servant of God who touched the lives of so many, including her children, grandchildren, and the entire COGIC family. Her legacy will live on in our hearts and in those she touched.”
Danielle Hodges spoke with the AFRO about guidance she received from Mother Rivers over the years.
“I was considered her girl,” said Danielle Hodges, First Lady of Impact Church of the Lowcountry, in North Charleston, S.C.
Hodges said Mother Rivers was like a grandmother to her, a confidante, mentor and guiding light. As their families were connected via the church, from the tender age of eight she felt something was special about Mother Rivers. During revivals at Johnson Temple COGIC in North Charleston, S.C., Hodges said her family would host Mother Rivers at their home for weeks at a time.
“She was the epitome of grace,” Hodges recalls. “She poured into me like no other.”
Hodges said Mother Rivers shaped her into the woman she is today, and proved to be a devout woman with a heart for the millions of women she served globally.
Elder Jeremy Q. Henry, lead pastor of the Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ of Milwaukee, Wis. shared his memories with the AFRO as well.
“My most memorable birthday was spent with Mother Willie Mae Rivers at her home in Goose Creek, S.C., surrounded by the warmth and love of her family,” he said. “Her hospitality and kindness were truly remarkable. We shared words of encouragement and laughter, creating cherished memories.”
“I was especially honored when she sang a Jubilee rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. That day remains etched in my heart— a testament to her extraordinary spirit and enduring influence,” recalls Elder Henry. “She requested that I return so we could sing more songs together, but I believe she has now found a greater audience to sing praises to–for all glory, honor and praise belong to God.”
Bro. Steve Harris, a West Angeles COGIC member and producer for the annual COGIC Convocation, described his two-decade relationship with Mother Rivers as “epic, warm and genuine.”
He noted that Mother Rivers was exceptionally generous, and was known to personally sponsor young missionaries from around the globe who lacked the means to attend the COGIC women’s conventions. He said she was a “walking encyclopedia” of history and life, her knowledge and wisdom were unparalleled.
Mother Rivers’ dedication extended beyond her strong commitment to the church , as she was a loving mother to her sons, the late Robert Lee Rivers and Samuel Rivers, and is survived by 10 daughters (Flossie, Alfreda, Eleanor, Barbara, Francine, Joyce, Debra, Vernece, Sondra, and Angeline), 20 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, three great- great-grandchildren, three sisters and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and community members.
Her devotion to her family was evident in every action, as was her unwavering commitment to the Grand Ole Church of God in Christ.
“Mother Willie Mae Rivers will be deeply missed and never forgotten,” said Elder Henry. “Genesis 17:16 says, ‘Yes, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations.’ Mother Rivers was a beacon of love and strength, a mother to the nations, and her legacy and impact on the world are immeasurable.”
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