Mary Magdalene Wiggins Hicks Rivers, age 90, of Mtn. View, Arkansas passed on February 17, with her husband Robert by her side. She was born in Winnsboro, Louisiana to Albert Una Wiggins and Sally Williams Wiggins Mercer on November 21, 1933. Mary was preceded in death by her first husband W. J. Hicks, Sr., a son W. J. (Bill) Hicks, Jr., and sister, Katie Martin.
She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Robert F. Rivers, sister, Theda Shirley, brother, Joe Mercer, her sons, John R. Hicks (Hazel), Jeffrey H. Hicks (Ellen), Michael E. Hicks (Lynette), Benjamin T. Hicks (Jennifer) and three grandsons.
Mary graduated from Lee Junior College in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Northeast Louisiana State College in Monroe, Louisiana. She was an elementary school teacher for thirty years in Louisiana. In 1991, she retired from teaching and moved to Mtn. View that very same day!
Always the teacher, she was involved in many educational associations and actively supporter the Stone County Library as a board member. She also had a remarkable memory for every student she ever taught over a thirty-year career. In retirement, she enjoyed evening drives with Robert to chase down beautiful sunsets. She loved painting, drawing, and writing children’s books. It was not uncommon to see Mary and Robert out on the porch enjoying her beautiful yard over a cup of coffee.
A celebration of her life will be scheduled later in the spring.
She asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Stone County Library, Mtn. View or The Church @ Tallulah, 1104 Tampa Street, Tallulah, LA. 71282.
