Phillis J. Rivers

Phillis Jane Chislom Rivers
September 30, 1943 – October 3, 2025

Phillis Jane Chislom Rivers passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, just a few days after her 82nd birthday. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Phillis lived a life filled with love, faith, and joy. Everyone who met her noticed her kind, ever-present smile. She was a joyful, loving person, and her smile lifted the spirits of everyone around her.

Phillis was the devoted wife of the late Rev. Frankie F. Rivers for 63 years. Her proudest achievement was raising her five children in an Air Force family that moved all over the world. Wherever they were stationed, Phillis made sure the base library was their first stop.

Once her children were grown, Phillis turned her lifelong love of reading into a second career as a librarian at a public library in Texas and as a middle school librarian, sharing her love of books with a new generation of children.

Phillis was a woman of deep faith, who met every challenge -- be it devastating floods, debilitating illness, or tragic loss -- with quiet strength and amazing resilience.

Phillis is survived by her children: Darryl (Cindy) Rivers, Michael (Debbie) Rivers, Jacqueline Fant, Reginald (Stephanie) Rivers, and Gwendolyn Moss; her sister, Rosalyn Thomas; her brother, Arthur “Sonny” Thomas; 9 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Phillis leaves behind a legacy of kindness. Even in her final hours, she greeted her caregivers with that same gentle smile. She is now reunited with her beloved Frankie, smiling down upon us, and we, her family, smile back, forever grateful.

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