Helen Louise Rivers of St. James, Missouri was born Dec. 29, 1938 at High Gate, Missouri to Thomas Burchard and Myrtle Ivy Beckham Kinsey and passed away on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at the age of 87 years.
On Nov. 30, 1957 she married Robert Rivers at the St James Christian Church in St. James, Missouri.
She went to work for Cardetti’s Furniture the day after she graduated High School and worked for the Cardetti family for 45 years.
She was very active in the St. James Christian Church all her life. She was always working with the youth dinners, helping in the nursery, helping with funeral dinners and visiting the shut-ins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, Lewis Bowles Kinsey, William Lavern Kinsey and Arthur Eugene Kinsey.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Rivers; one son, Steve Rivers and wife Lori of St. James, Missouri; one daughter, Gay Rivers of Bellingham, Washington; one brother, Welton B. Tony Kinsey of St. James, Missouri; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Jerod Rivers and wife Ashley, Ben Rivers and wife Jessica and their children Thad and Thatcher, Mason Rivers, Wesley Brown and wife April and Lucas, Mathias Brown and Landon, Uriah Brown and wife Amanda and their children Eliza, Jonah and Claira, Kayla (Rivers) Brown and husband Bryan and Emma, LilyAnna Rivers, Cameron Rivers and Kyrié Rivers; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Chris Foster officiating.
Burial at the High Gate Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jerod Rivers, Ben Rivers, Mason Rivers, Wesley Brown, Uriah Brown and Thad Rivers. Honorary Pallbearers were Mathias Brown and Thatcher Rivers.
Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.
