Mrs. Janice H. Rivers, 83, of Jacksonville passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. Janice was born on August 4, 1936 in Danville, VA., the daughter of the late Melvin G. Hawker and Nerine Poteat Hawker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lindsey Lee Rivers in 2014, and daughter-in-law, Leslie Scott Rivers in 1987.
She attended public schools in Danville, VA. through the age of thirteen, at which time the family relocated to Jacksonville, FL. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, class of 1954. Her professional life included Prudential Ins. Co., Duval County School Board, and church administrator at Riverside Baptist Church. Janice and husband Lindsey founded Rivers Pest Control in 1969, and Janice was active in the financial management for many years. Janice served as church pianist at Dean Road Baptist Church. Her talent provided her with many opportunities to perform beautiful music for special events around the city. Janice and Lindsey were members at First Baptist Church Jacksonville for 25 years, where she taught Sunday School, and then Trinity Baptist Church in Keystone Heights for 15 years, before moving back to Jacksonville in 2014. She enjoyed worshiping at Peace Presbyterian Church in the last five years, where her brother is minister of music and made many friends. She was known as a gracious hostess and provided wonderful food and entertainment for her family, friends, and church associates on special occasions for many years. She was a loving and caring mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Survivors are one son, Stephen L. Rivers (Debbie); one daughter, Laurie Rivers Dickinson; one brother, Guy Hawker; seven grandchildren, Paul Rivers (Shana), Waylon Rivers (Rene), Brett Rivers, Brandie Rivers Hagans (Josh), Luke Willis, Samuel Willis, and Rachel Willis; six great grandchildren, Brielle Rivers, Cameron Rivers, Logan Rivers, Bonham Rivers, Nora Rivers, and Bodhi Rivers.
A Funeral service will be held Monday August 12,2019 at Oaklawn Chapel, followed by a reception and Interment at Oaklawn Cemetery, all located at 4801 San Jose Blvd. Jax. Fl. 32207 at 11am.
