Sarah Kathryn Rivers

Sarah Kathryn Rivers, age 72, of Northport, died Feb. 15, 2010, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Mark United Methodist Church with Sam Hardie, John Drawhorne, and Dick Wright officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be Thursday from 12 to 2 p.m. at the church.

Her parents, John G. and Mertie Green, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jerome Rivers of Northport, Ala.; daughter, Malinn Kostelecky (Gavin) of Gulf Shores; brothers, Frank Green (Mary Donna) of Northport, Ala. and Paul Green of Orange, California; grandchildren, Reagan Malinn Kostelecky and Gavin Rhett Kostelecky and many nieces and nephews.

Kathryn was born in Tuscaloosa County and graduated from Tuscaloosa High School. She attended the University of Alabama and was employed there as a research assistant with the Center for Business and Economic Research for 28 years until her retirement in 2002. Kathryn was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a creative person who loved decorating. She was a huge Alabama fan and enjoyed travel and tailgating with friends and family for many years.

Kathryn was a long time member of St. Mark United Methodist Church and enjoyed her involvement with Gulf Shores UMC when spending time at their home there. She was a member of the Elysian Club, Gamma Phi Beta social sorority, and a volunteer at DCH Regional Medical Center. She will be remembered for her courage and faith during her lengthy illness as well as her loving and generous nature. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Gerald Eure, Jim Woods, Dr. Larry Parks, Robbie Miller, Tom Love and John Myers.

Honorary pallbearers are present and former colleagues at School of Business at UA, employees of the Corps of Engineers, Dr. Debra Davis, Dr. Pamela Hughes, Dr. Shelby Sanford, Dr. Gerald Wallace, staff of Hospice of West Alabama, Whosever Sunday School class of St. Mark and special friends, Jane Eure, Carol Myers, and Jennifer Woods.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama or St. Mark United Methodist Church.

Arrangements under the direction of Memory Chapel Funeral Home, Tuscaloosa, AL.