Donald Rivers

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure You are loved beyond words, missed beyond measure.

Donald Lee Rivers ofTrenton NJ passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 28, 2022 after a long illness. He was the son of the late James P. Rivers, Sr., and Clidie Hodges Rivers. He was born on December 25, 1956. Donald was a lifelong resident of Trenton NJ and was educated in the Trenton Public School system.

Donald was self employed and one of his cherished avocations was caring for chil­ dren. He was diligent in the service he provided, assuring that each child's needs were met at the highest level. Part of Donald's program was to have the children memorize Bible verses and he would share his own special scriptures and quotes. This was an outgrowth of his understanding of the power of religious training. His charges, now adults, have fond memories of the love that he poured into each of them. They shared how he was very timely with their schedule and they remem­ ber the joy and the good times that they had while going about their daily activi­ ties.

Donald was a skilled driver. If you needed to go on a journey, no trip was too long for him to "chauffeur" anyone needing assistance, be it to a shopping destination or a journey to the South. If you needed Donald, he was there. Another of his joys was cooking, loading his dishes with his special ingredients. Delectable fried chick­ en was his specialty.

Donald was conscientious about acknowledging birthdays and special occasions. And when he placed a call on those special occasions he would always end every call with those treasured words "I love you". Even while lying on his bed of afflic­tion Donald continued to extend his well wishes. His last call was to his oldest brother, on his birthday, just two week before his passing. In his weakened state, Donald garnered the strength to say "Happy birthday" and "I love you" for the last time.

Everyone that Donald came into contact with has a "Donald Story". He had more hits than misses. He walked to his own special beat and did things in his unique way. He was carefree, yet caring. One of his notable saying was "Hey baby" to many he came in contact with. Overall Donald was a good person. He was usually upbeat and he lived life to the fullest. Predeceased by his parents and sister Emily Hodges Curry,

Donald leave to cherish his memory his brothers John L. Hodges (Lessie) of Rowesville, SC, James P. Rivers (Linda) of Tucson AZ, three nephews Jermaine Hodges of Rowesville SC, Joseph Hodges (Alysha) of Columbia SC, and James P. Rivers III (Cindy) of Tucson AZ, spe­ cial friend Dolores Frails, special cousins Richard Barber and Juanita Favor, several grandnieces and grandnephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
 

Funeral service will be 3pm Thursday, August 4, 2022 at Hughes Funeral Home, 324 Bellevue Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618 . Calling hour will be 2pm until the time of service. Interment will be at Ewing Cemetery, Ewing, NJ. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Rivers, please visit our floral store.