Obituary of Esther T. Rivers

Esther Theresa Rivers (affectionately known as Etta) went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 3, 2020. She was born on July 5th 1942, to the late Martha and Morgan Christian in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. She was the youngest of 13 children. At the age of six, the family moved to Berlin, New Jersey. She was educated in the Berlin Township School system. As a young girl, Esther was a of the Camp Fire Girls (Girl Scouts) under the leadership of Mattie Bowser. She graduated from Edgewood Regional High School and was among the first graduating class of 1962. Early in life, she joined Green Grove Baptist Church under the direction of the late Reverend W. L. Turner. She was a member of the Usher Board and Inspirational choir. She began her career as a Human Services Technician where she was employed for over 30 years. While at Ancora, Esther met and married the love of her life Roosevelt Rivers in 1969. From this union there is one son Roosevelt Rivers Jr. She was a devoted caregiver to her husband who was ill for many years prior to his passing. She loved her family and never missed an opportunity to bring the family together. As the family even planner, she successfully coordinated and hosted family reunions for more than two decades. Her hobbies included traveling, sewing, shopping, collecting designer pocketbooks, and keeping up with the latest fashions. Esther was full of life and enjoyed having a good time. She loved to travel with her family, Della & Bernard Woods and the late Roosevelt Rivers and Christine Christian known amusingly as the infamous "Jackson Five". Later in life, she was involved in other organizations such as the American Legion Post 357 of Berlin New Jersey and the CB Citizens Band Club (CB) of Berlin New Jersey. Esther leaves to cherish her memory one beloved son, Roosevelt Rivers Jr. six grand children Dayquan, Rayquanda, Shaquanda, Brenna, and Etta one beloved sister, Della Woods and brother in-law, Bernard, one beloved brother, Oliver Cannon, two sisters in-laws, Katie Goddard and Mary Garmon, one brother in-law, Ike Rivers, special play sons and Washington (Tony), Kellyann Baylor-Rivers and Yvonne Fisher, two special nieces Malinda T. Woods-Dupree, and Theresa Renee Christian-Kirkley, and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.