Thornley Rivers, 85, of Moncks Corner, SC passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Monday March 27th, 2023, surrounded by his wife and many family members after a long illness with complications of a stroke.
Thornley was born on September 15th, 1937, in Moncks Corner SC to Maggie Ellington Rivers and Rufus (Thornley) Rivers Sr.
After attending high school in Moncks Corner SC, he moved to New York City where he met the lovely Onethia Bennett.
One afternoon as he was a passerby, he helped the beautiful and lovely Onethia with her sweater just as the wind caused it to fall to the ground. When he picked the sweater up and looked into her eyes, he was awestricken by her beauty. He has said that he was smitten at first sight. They struck up a conversation and fell in love as they continued their walk. They further deepened their connection later that day while attending an impromptu afternoon show. Thornley and Onethia went on to marry in New York City and together they had one child Anthony - who has preceded Thornley in death. It was this family unit in New York City with all Thornley's sisters and brothers, brothers-in-law Julius and Georgie Bennett and all their children that the extended family grew close. With so much family around he developed the saying ‘ain’t nothing but love’. Life was full in New York City. It was made of weekend gatherings with his brothers and sisters and their children. Thornley called the new Mrs. Rivers his ‘main squeeze’. Together there were family trips to Canada, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Coney Island fun and Prospect Park afternoon barbeques with his son Anthony and all the nieces and nephews. This is why Thornley is so affectionately revered and loved as their Uncle Tee. He even raised one niece when his eldest sister (Laura) passed away suddenly.
He loved his hobbies. Such as gardening, fishing, hunting and his vehicles. The family hopes he is riding his riding lawn mower through the heavenly gates as this was his treasured ‘me time’ to be alone with his thoughts and to contemplate the world. Or that he is driving his immaculately clean Chevy truck or the first car he purchased, the beloved 1965 burgundy Chevy Impala which is still sitting in his yard today (as rusted as it is) since he could never part with it.
He worked in the garment district in New York City for many years before returning to Cordesville SC to his father's land upon which he built a house for his lovely bride Onethia. In this house they would prosper and continue to raise Anthony. He continued working for many years with the Berkeley County School System as a courier where he made many lifelong friends.
Thornley we are sad to see you go but we are happy that you no longer know of pain or sickness. We will always love you and will think of you fondly until we meet again.
Thornley's parents who preceded him in death are Maggie Ellington Rivers and Rufus (Thornley) Rivers Sr. of Cordesvile, SC. He is survived by a dedicated loving wife of 61 years the lovely Onethia B. Rivers, dedicated daughter (DIL) Lynnise Lucy Rivers of NC (of their only child and loving son Anthony (d)), four sisters Thelma (Leon) Matthews of NY, Daisy (Dee) Myers of SC, Rutha Mae Speights of FL, and Georgetta Rivers of SC. Those who preceded him in death in addition to his son Dr. Anthony T. Rivers, is his sister, Laura Mae Rivers, brothers Henry William Rivers, and Elijah Rivers. Thornley and Onethia later welcomed into their family unit his adult daughter, Sandra Johnson Tillman (Tyrone) of NY, which gave him grandchildren and great grandchildren. He and Onethia have a wonderful loving host of nieces and nephews who were more like their own kids. Glen and Stephanie; Kevin, Cheryl and Crystal; Gregory Jonathan and Stephen; Pat, Deborah, Ethel, Leon (d) and Leroy; and Henry; Shaniqua, Robert, and Willis; Shantelle Carolyn Darcia and many more. The extended Rivers family is very large and far reaching. They hail from the low country of SC to NY. It consists of cousins, extended cousins, church members, and includes many caring friends. Thornley Rivers has touched so many lives and so many people have touched his. We the family, feel blessed that through Tee strangers have become friends and friends have become family.
A Home Going Celebration Service will be held Saturday, April 1, 2023, 3:00 p.m., at Truth Tabernacle, 1169 Old Church Road, Cordesville, SC. Interment will be in Cordesville United Methodist Church Cemetery. Viewing will be held Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Face masks are required.
The service will be live streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/gethersfh
