Ora Lee (Williams) Rivers

The Life  of Ora Lee Rivers

Ora Lee Rivers referred to affectionately as “Munk” by her late husband Jonas and “Orrie” by others, was born October 22, 1929 in Ritter, SC to the late Hervist Williams and Catherine Nix.  Ora Lee completed her formative years at Ritter School, where she bestowed the honor of class salutation and remembered her speech until her llast days.

On October 16, 1948, she married Jonas Rivers and from this union 7 children were born.  In 1952, Ora Lee moved to New York City to join her husband Jonas. She worked beside him as they diligently performed their superintendent duties.  While living in NYC, Ora Lee Rivers was a longtime member of Tabernacle CME in Queen, NY.  She was a member of the Eastern Star Adah, Chapter No. 8a in NYC.  Ora Lee worked several jobs while living in NYC, then retired from North Central Bronx Hospital in 1988.

Upon her return to Walterboro in 1988, she loved to fish, play bid whist and tend to her garden.  She boasted often about her “yard of the month” award received from the City of Walterboro.  Ora Lee loved to travel and would brag about her adventures with her family.

If anyone knew Orrie, you knew that she kept her hair fixed and properly dressed for any occasion.  Her immediate family members know all too well “God bless the child that got his own”, and for the younger generation, “One day, I won’t be here anymore and you’ll have to do these things for yourself”, because education and independence was of the utmost importance. Ora Lee was family oriented and made sure to attend all graduations, weddings, funerals or any kind of get together. If she was not there, she sent a representative or a token of love.

The Mayor of Walterboro proclaimed October 19, 2019 as Mrs. Ora Lee Williams- Rivers Day in honor of her 90th birthday.  On Wednesday evening, the 29th of July, Ora Lee Rivers entered into eternal rest at her home.  She will always be remembered in a special way….a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and loving friend.

Ora Lee leaves to cherish her memories a brother, George Williams and sister Ethel Lisbon; three sons, James Rivers, Larry (Marion) and Alexander Rivers; 16 grandchildren Reeshemah, James Jr., Daryl, Michelle, Timothy, Melissa, Nathan, Sheanah, Karimah, Keena, Kashif, Tannia, Monique, Taron, Jasmine, and Breana, 7 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.  Three children preceded her in death, Julius Rivers., Brenda Murphy-Boyd and Gwendolyn Rivers.

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