Gladys Rivers

Gladys Rivers departed this world on March 17, 2012 for a better place. Gladys was born April 28, 1920 to the late Isaiah and Lucinda Martin-Blue in Savannah, Georgia. As an infant she was adopted and raised by Thomas and Bell Simmons in Levy, South Carolina where she attended school and grew up on their small farm. She met and married Louis Johnson. From that union they had two children, Herman and Samuel "Sammy Yank" Johnson. Her husband Louis passed away while Gladys was pregnant with Samuel, their youngest son. After the death of her beloved Momma Bell in 1942, Gladys moved to Savannah, Georgia where she eventually met and married Norman Rivers. Gladys and Norman always opened their home to family gatherings. There were always scrumptious meals and a place for her family to spend a day or a month. Family was always welcomed. Her grandchildren looked forward to going to Savannah several times yearly for holidays as well as each summer for vacation. They will always cherish those precious days spent with their loving grandparents. God and family were most important in her life. She spent the past fifteen years in New Jersey with her son Herman (Willie Mae) and grandson Herman Jr. (Ethel). Gladys was preceded in death by her husband Norman. She was also preceded in death by Samuel "Sammie Yank" Johnson, her youngest son, and two brothers, Isaiah and Earl Blue. She leaves to cherish her precious memories: devoted son Herman Johnson(Willie Mae) , of Jersey City, New Jersey; Isaac (Theresa) Blue of Savannah Georgia; grandsons, Herman Johnson Jr. (Ethel Mae), of Columbus New Jersey and Ronald Johnson of East Orange, New Jersey; granddaughters, Stephanie Reynolds (Tyrone)of Jersey City, New Jersey and Monica Frazier of Savannah Georgia; one brother Isaac "Snookie" Blue; and three sisters-in-law, Reese and Minnie Blue of Savannah, Georgia and Joann Blue of Oakland, California; eleven nieces and nephews from California and Georgia; adored first cousins, Pearl Wolfe of New Jersey , Charlesetta Ransom and Rose Mary Banks of Savannah Georgia. Funeral services for Gladys Rivers will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 24, 2012 from St. James A.M.E. Church. Interment, Hillcrest Abbey East. Visitation: 5-7 p.m., Friday in the chapel of the funeral home. Reposing at the church from 9 a.m., until hour of service.

Gladys Rivers

April 28, 1920 - March 17, 2012