Dorothy Mae Rivers

Dorothy Mae Polk Rivers was born on December 30, 1930, in Lexington, Mississippi. She was the sixth of nine children born to Almeata Coleman Polk and Lincoln Polk. Dorothy and her family attended Epworth Methodist Church, where she received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was an active Sunday School member. Dorothy graduated from Saints’ Industrial and Literary School, a private school for Black children in the segregated South. Upon graduation, she followed her older brother, Jim, to Rust College, where she completed a two-year associate's degree in nursing. She later moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she met and married Samuel B. Wright. To this union, three children were born: Gerrcia Vontaz, Varlyna Donae, and Erye Dewayne.

Later, Dorothy and her three children relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to live with her sister, Marie Polk Montgomery. Dorothy was later united in marriage to John Rivers.

To improve her job skills, Dorothy attended the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) where she developed the skills of a Medical Research Technician. After completing her training, Dorothy was hired by the University of Pennsylvania and worked there for 25 years.

Dorothy actively volunteered for the Pennsylvania Association for Mentally Challenged Citizens, the only Black organization at that time which advocated for the rights and needs of Black individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also served as president of this organization for two years.

Following Dorothy’s retirement and the death of her husband and sister, Dorothy moved to Pennington, New Jersey to live with her daughter. She changed her membership from Wharton Wesley United Methodist to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. At Good Shepherd, she became an active member of the Senior Choir and helped start the Food Pantry with Rev. Maurice Brown. Upon her daughter’s retirement, she moved to Snellville, Georgia, and attended Central United Methodist Church.

Dorothy was always very supportive of all her children and was there to help with her daughter’s seven pastoral relocation moves. As a grandmother, she was very active in her grandchildren's lives as a babysitter, chauffeur, homework reviewer, and tutor on many occasions. Dorothy truly was a woman of great faith. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to put God first, seek education, and always pray. She also encouraged family to cast their votes for candidates who addressed the needs of their community.

Dorothy was the primary originator of the first Polk and Coleman Family Reunion which evolved to include the Crawfords and Issacs. She has attended all the reunions since 1970. Dorothy was the matriarch and the soul of the Polk/Coleman family. She was loved and will be missed by all.

Dorothy transitioned on April 23, 2025, to be reunited with the God who loved her and whom she loved to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, John Rivers, her parents, six brothers, and one sister. She leaves to cherish her memory three children: Gerrcia (Queen) Wright of Conyers, Georgia, Rev. Dr. Varlyna D. Wright of Snellville, Georgia, and Erye (Yvonne) Wright of Burlington, New Jersey, one brother, Dr. Manfred Polk of Brentwood, Tennessee, seven grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, her caregivers: Rita Guadad, Doree Igman, Perry Wright, and Keion Wright, her beloved cat, Precious, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Central United Methodist Church, located at 501 MLK, Jr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314.