Samson Rivers

Samson Rivers, age 86, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Samson was the tenth of twelve children born to Edna and Roland Rivers of Lloyd, Florida. His early years were spent working on the family farm where he learned valuable lessons about working hard, working as a team, and taking care of family. His family moved to Orlando, and he graduated from Hungerford Preparatory School in Eatonville, Florida.

His work ethic and desire to take care of his family led him to enlist in the U.S. Army after graduating from high school. Samson had a 22-year distinguished military career serving initially as a band member in Germany. He returned to the U.S. where he was stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas (5th Armored Division Army Band) and then Fort Sill, Oklahoma (77th Army Band) followed by combat in Vietnam. While he began his military band career with the baritone, Samson quickly became proficient at playing all brass instruments. He went on to direct several military bands while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas (1st Cavalry Army Band); Norfolk, Virginia (Naval School of Music); Fort Sam Houston, Texas (323rd Army Band), and Seoul, Korea (8th Army Band). During his tenure in the Army, Samson earned several service medals, multiple letters of commendation and meritorious service awards. He retired at Fort Sam Houston in 1977.

After serving his country, Samson worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 21 years. His hard work and dedication garnered several service/achievement awards, including being named Building Maintenance Employee of the Year. Working at various postal stations provided Samson with the opportunity to meet and fellowship with his colleagues as well as customers. He loved life, but he especially loved to fellowship with people and share God’s word with others. He was a true “fisher of men”.

While stationed in Germany he met and married Dorothy Roberts and together they raised four kids – two boys and two girls. He was a strong provider for his family, teaching and nurturing them with Christian values. He imparted several life lessons – the values of hard work, being your best, sacrifice, humility, always sharing a smile, and most importantly, family first. In addition to music, he enjoyed taking family road trips (the longer, the better), fishing, building models (aircraft carriers and planes), watching and attending football games, and entertaining.

Samson had a strong faith in God and served Him all his life. In his early teens, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior after attending a revival. In 1974, he was ordained as a deacon at New Bethel Baptist Church, and he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher in several area churches. Samson never met a stranger and was selfless with his time and his money. He used his gift of Bible teaching to minister to countless people whenever and wherever he saw an opportunity. In addition to conducting Bible study in his home, Samson also recorded and distributed Bible lessons through his tape ministry, witnessed through his tract ministry, and shared God’s Word through local prison ministry.

Samson is preceded in death by his parents, several brothers and sisters, his son, Peter Rivers, and his grandson, Joseph S. Rivers. He leaves to celebrate his life his sister, Mary Edna Rivers; his son, John Rivers; daughters, Cassandra Rivers and Yolanda Rivers-Edwards (their mom, Dorothy Rivers); his grandchildren, Derek W. Edwards, II, Bryant A. Edwards, and Kristina A. Edwards (their dad, Derek W. Edwards); Joshua P. Rivers, Isaac B. Rivers (their mom, Mary Jackson); his great-grandchild, Divine Simone Rivers; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Samson’s Celebration of Life services will be held at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway. The Visitation will be held Thursday, October 7 from 6 pm to 9 pm. The Homegoing Service will be held Friday, October 8 from 11 am to 12 pm followed by a Repast until 2 pm. The Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Thursday, October 14 from 9:15 am to 9:45 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in the name of Samson Rivers to his favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.