Hoover Lee

Rivers, Sr.

Mr. Hoover Lee Rivers, Sr., age 79, was born February 21, 1939 to the parentage of the late Mr. James Rivers and the late Mrs. Matester Davis Rivers. He departed this life February 15, 2019 at his home.

"H.L.", as he was affectionately known, was a faithful member of Saint John Baptist Church in Gainestown, Al where he was a deacon and choir member. He loved to sing and was an original member of the Evening Stars Quartet Singers. Before his health failed, he was a faithful lead singer with the Jackson Male Chorus.  Among his favorite songs were "Send me, I'll Go", "Fix it Jesus", and "Have You Heard The News?". He loved watching his favorite westerns while enjoying a cup of coffee. For many years, Mr. Rivers owned and operated H. L. Trucking Company. He later retired as a logger.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Eldred Rivers and Chester Mack Rivers; two sisters, Doris Hunt and Flora Rankin, and two grandsons, Jeffrey Hunt and Antoine Nicholson, Sr.

He will be forever loved and cherished in the heart of his loving and devoted wife, Shemika Dotson Rivers; six sons, Harvie (Patricia) Hunt of Mobile, AL; Elmore (Vanessa) Kemp of Mt. Vernon, AL; Hoover Lee (Yolander) Rivers, Jr., of Alexandria, VA; Otis (Michelle) Rivers, Keith (Amy) Rivers and Ted Rivers, all of Gainestown, AL; six daughters, Annie (Phillip) Frowner and Roenell Nicholson, both of Gainestown, AL; Mattie (Embrel) Vaughn,  Zhyria Rivers, Zamya Rivers, and Zakira Robinson, all of Jackson, AL; devoted mother-in-law and caregiver, Beverly Jenkins of Jackson, AL; two brothers; Spencer (Eula) Rivers of Gainestown, AL; Jessie (Gloria) Rivers of Queens, New York; four sisters; Irene (Johnny) Pogue of Satsuma, AL; Betty Sylvester and Eleanor Green, both of Queens, New York; Lelia McCants of Jackson, AL; 24 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces; one devoted, Gwendolyn Jackson; nephews, other relatives and friends; a truly devoted friend, Matthew "Coach" (Betty) Jones.

Viewing Friday, February 22, 2019 4-6pm at Andrews Funeral Home; viewing Saturday, February 23, 2019 12 noon following the family processional at St. Union Baptist Church, Jackson, AL; Rev. Sylvester Williams, pastor; Rev. Garry Jackson, eulogist. Following the burial ceremony in Woodlawn Cemetery, Jackson, AL, the family will receive friends at Jackson Municipal Pool, J.W. Andrews Highway, Jackson, AL.

Services with sympathetic care and legendary professionalism entrusted to Andrews Funeral Home, 800 Depot Road, Jackson, AL. Condolences to the family at www.andrewsfuneralhomejackson.com and on Andrews Funeral Home Facebook page.