Hattie Sandy Rivers

On Thursday, July 21, 2016, Hattie Sandy Rivers entered into her final rest at Eastside Medical in Snellville, GA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Hattie King - Cooley, her guardians Sterling and Mammie Fields; her eldest son Ben "Bennie" Rivers Jr. and her husband Ben Rivers Sr. By the grace of Ahayah Asher Ahayah (God), Sandy has been delivered and now is resting in perfect peace. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with Adonai.” II Corinthians 5:8.

She was born on December 13, 1955, in Jersey City, NJ. Sandy was raised into womanhood and taught to love, fear, have reverence of Ahayah Asher Ahayah (God) in the Name of Yashayah (Jesus) in the home of Sterling and Mammie Fields. Sandy graduated from Henry Snyder High School in 1973, where she was the Captain of the Color Guard and a community servant in the Lamda Sorority. She also graduated from Katherine Gibbs Business School with an Associate’s Degree; as well as, The Global College of Natural Medicine where she received a Doctorate of Holistic Medicine. Sandy was able to combine her education and life experiences for the purpose of attaining a 501c3 non-profit organization in 1990 which is currently called "Rivers of Life Ministries". Sandy was a co-founder with her husband until his death; at which time Sandy became President and CEO. While living in New York Ms. Rivers followed her dream of helping organizations achieving great heights in the year 1982 she was the Executive Secretary of NBC (AKA" Queen of NBC") as being the first African American Woman to have that high level.

She was joined in marriage to her late husband Ben Rivers Sr. in 1982 and from this union they were blessed with three sons: The late Ben Rivers, Jr.; Daniel Rivers and Phillip Rivers. Sandy's love for her sons was insurmountable; they were trained in the nurture and admonition of the Ahayah (Lord) so that they could live a happy and peaceful life. "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Sandy, experienced life to the fullest, with her many gifts, talents and skills that were shared in her catering business, as a member of the Georgia Bridal Association; the writing of her published book By His Grace: Delivered from Jezebel, in 2013 and the webinars through Rivers of Life Ministries. Sandy used her knowledge of herbs and spices to create dishes for others to enjoy and was the inspiration for her son Daniel, who became an Executive Chef. While working as a manager at Vanderbilt University she encouraged the excellent sportsmanship developing in Bennie and the artistry emerging in Phillip, who designed the cover of Sandy's book. She was a woman of class and grace; she always dressed with elegance for every season. Sandy was truly a woman who loved Ahayah (God). She understood the power of prayer, the necessity of being in the presence of Ahayah (God) and the ministry of reconciliation by sharing her love of the scriptures, even at an early age, when she taught Sunday school at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in her hometown.

Sandy’s laughter, smile and sweet nature will truly be missed and remembered. She leaves behind her sons, Daniel Rivers and Phillip Rivers, Loganville, GA; grandson, Jordan Daniel Rivers; siblings, Jerome Cooley (Connie), Randallstown, MD., Julianna Cooley, Morristown, NJ, Joseph Cooley Jr. (Pamela), Jersey City, N.J., and Rosemary Payne (William), Jersey City, NJ; half-sister, Gayle Ellis (Mark), Boston, MA; half-brother, Derrick Davenport, Albany, NY; cousins, Lynn Washington (Minister Steven) who faithfully worshipped The Sabbath with Sandy on skype; devoted and loving friend, "sister to the end”, Belinda Newborn, along with nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, and other family and close friends.