Ms. Helen Rivers

Ms. Helen Magnolia Rivers was born October 5, 1929 to Walter, Sr. and Ella Mae Britt in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the oldest girl of nine children. She passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023 at the age of 93 years. Helen graduated from Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama. She left Birmingham in 1950 to explore other cities in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania before settling in Detroit, Michigan. She later went back to school and acquired a degree as a Histologic Technician. She used the degree to work in the lab at Deaconess Hospital in Detroit, Michigan where she became the head of her department and was certified. Deaconess and St. Joseph Mercy hospitals merged in 1978 and later became Samaritan Health Center from where she retired in 1992. Helen was glad to complete her goal of leaving that building the way she walked in each day, “On her own two feet”. Ms. Rivers joined St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, MI where she received recognition for 20 years of Christian service. She was a devout Christian. She loved her family and was always ready to help when she could. At some point and time, most of her siblings stayed with her for a short period. She treasured the time that she spent with them because you could hear it in her voice whenever she would share stories about them. She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Vernell Rivers, Detroit, MI and LaTanya Chism (Vashtie), Bridgeport, MI; grandchildren, Jermaine Rivers, Detroit, Tracey and Shauntell Chism, both of Saginaw and Christopher Chism, St. Paul, MN; great-grandchildren; one sister, Marion Henderson, Birmingham, AL; one brother, Anderson Britt, Cleveland, OH; sister-in-law, Cathy Britt, Cleveland, OH; a host of nieces and nephews; cousins, Terry-Arlene Marshall, Middletown, NY and Jeanie Marshall, Ann Arbor, MI, many other relatives and friends. Ms. Helen Magnolia Rivers was preceded in death by her parents, Walter, Sr. and Ella Mae Britt; sisters, Barbara Pickens and Mildred James; brothers, Jimmie Sr., Charles, Melvin and Walter Britt, Jr. Funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, Michigan 48607. Dr. Willie F. Casey will officiate. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Ms. Helen Rivers

October 5, 1929 - July 24, 2023