HAMPTON - Mr. Jacob Franklin Rivers, Jr., 88, of Mulberry Street in Hampton died Thursday morning, March 11, 2010 in the Hampton Regional Medical Center after an extended illness.
Born April 1, 1921 in Hampton, he was the son of the late Jacob Franklin "Frank" Rivers, Sr. and Beulah Hiers Rivers. Mr. Rivers served his country during World War II in the United States Navy aboard the USS Savannah. Upon returning to Hampton he was the owner of Frank's 5 and Dime until the mid 1970's and then became the operator of J. H. Rivers & Son, Inc., a family owned store in the community that sold dry goods and groceries as well as feed and seed. He had been a member of the American Legion Post #108 in Hampton for over 60 years and was a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church in Crocketville.
Married to the late Mildred Bowers Rivers, he is survived by one son, Jacob Franklin Rivers, III, Ph.D., of Columbia, one daughter, Beth Rivers of Hampton, and one sister, Lorraine Logan of Hampton. There is one granddaughter, Christi Wickliffe-Bessinger and husband John of Surfside Beach, SC and two great grandchildren, Michaela and Rivers Bessinger.
A graveside funeral service, with Military Honors, was held Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 3 PM in the Hampton Cemetery.
Memorials in his memory may be directed to: Community Animal Shelter, PO Box 1442, Varnville, SC 29944 or Hampton Cemetery, c/o Maxie Lee Harper, 603 4th St., Hampton, SC 29924.
Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home of Hampton was in charge of the arrangements.