Parniest R. Glover

Parniest Rivers was born on January 18, 1932 in Clarendon County, South Carolina to the late Lawrence B. Rivers, Sr. and Daisy J. Rivers. Parniest was the 2nd of three children.

Parniest accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at New Hope AME Church in Pinewood, S.C. She faithfully attended Protestant worship services at the various military chapels with her family; including, the Ord Military Chapel from 1972 until its closure in April 2018.

Parniest grew up on a farm in rural Rimini, S.C. where she operated heavy agricultural equipment and tended to livestock with her parents and siblings *Dorothy and Lawrence Jr. She briefly attended Elloree Elementary in Orangeburg County, S.C., Spring Grove Elementary, and Scotts Branch High School in Clarendon County before transferring to Mather Academy, (a historical private black boarding school) in Camden, S.C., and graduated in 1950.

Parniest was in high school when her father along with other NAACP members and residents banded together with Thurgood Marshall to file a discrimination case against segregation in the public schools in Clarendon County which resulted in the historic ruling of Brown vs. Board of Education.

Parniest matriculated at South Carolina State in 1950. She enjoyed college life alongside new and old classmates, as well as discovering new kinsfolk. During her sophomore year in 1952, Parniest received the honor of officially being hailed Queen of the ROTC Department. She enjoyed the pageantry of being with other queens who represented various campus clubs and organizations. She graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Parniest married her college sweetheart, 2nd Lt. Alfred P. Glover (Class of 53) who hails from Augusta, GA. On June 2, 1954 they wed in a private ceremony at her home in Rimini, S.C. From this union four children, Alfred, Donald,* Patrice and Ronald were born. She spent 23 years of military life traveling extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Parniest taught 5th grade for 2 years in the Virginia public schools. Many of her collegiate relationships blossomed into beautiful friendships that remained constant throughout her life, including Mrs. Lulu Bryant her teacher at Mather Academy.

For decades, Parniest and her husband delighted in welcoming other South Carolina State University alumni into their home, especially if they were stationed at Fort Ord. Parniest took great pride in maintaining an immaculate house. During their various military tours she invested in fine china, crystal and silver to use for entertaining. She followed formal military protocol and made sure everything passed her personal inspection. Friends and relatives always thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Parniest and A.P. She was a wonderful homemaker, cook, community supporter and volunteer and a loving and devoted Wife, Mother and Grandmother. She loved her family and enjoyed a quiet life on the Monterey Peninsula and in her home in Seaside.

Parniest continued her father’s work and dedicated a huge part of her life actively volunteering her time and talents to support the NAACP. She was a Golden Heritage Life Member of the NAACP, served on the Executive Committee and was the membership chair for the Monterey Branch for 22 years. She was a past member of The Links, Incorporated Monterey Bay (CA) Chapter. She also served as Committee Chair on several committees for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Kappa Gamma Omega Chapter. Parniest received numerous community awards including 2006 NAACP Presidential Honoree in 2011, Service Recognition for Dedication and Service in the Movement for Civil Rights by Assemblyman Morning, Proclamations from Monterey, Seaside and Sand City Mayors recognizing her years of commitment and service to the community. In 2006 Parniest was inducted into South Carolina State University’s Thomas E. Miller Society which recognizes cumulative philanthropy from individuals, couples, businesses who demonstrate commitment to the university and higher education by sharing their resources.

Parniest was an avid reader of books, magazines, and she read the local newspaper every day. She loved nurturing the countless plants and beautiful flowers in her garden and always maintained a colorful yard. She took fun classes like floral arranging and cake decorating. She enjoyed the socialization and interaction, that shopping at the PX and commissary provided military wives. She was also an excellent driver who maintained a perfect driving record without so much as a parking ticket. After becoming an empty nester she really enjoyed frequenting local restaurants with her husband and family. Parniest was a cancer survivor who had beaten breast cancer not once, but twice in her life.

Parniest will forever be remembered as a very sweet, soft spoken, patient, kind hearted, God fearing, woman of integrity and grace with a quiet demeanor and a memorable shy smile often accompanied by a gentle chuckle.

Left to cherish her precious memory is her beloved husband of 67 years, Col. (RET) Alfred P. Glover, sons Dr. Alfred Glover, (Angela), Ronald (businessman) (Ebony) daughter Patrice (administrator) (Michael). She has four loving grandchildren, Brianni Lyons, Esq., Michael A. Lyons, Nile and Neo Glover. Brother, Lawrence B. Rivers, Jr. (Daisy) in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Nephews Bernard Ragin (Angie) in Rimini, S.C., Rodney Ragin in Philadelphia, PA, Jerome Rivers (Renee) in Upper Marlboro, Maryland Niece, Regina Davis in Upper Marlboro, Maryland and a host of relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on August 27th from 10am-2:00pm at Bayside Memorial 1610 Noche Buena St. Seaside, CA. The family will have a private committal service. A public memorial Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date when COVID restrictions are safe for all to attend.

Due to her continuing interest in education, Parniest and her husband created an endowment at their alma mater to assist underprivileged students in obtaining a quality education. In lieu of flowers, please support the Col. (RET) Alfred Glover and Mrs. Parniest R. Glover Endowed Scholarship at the South Carolina State University Foundation P.O. Box 7305, Orangeburg, S.C. 29117 or online at: https://scstateconnect.scsu/sslpage.aspx ?pid-378. At the drop-down box for gift designation choose “other” and type in “Parniest R. Glover Endowment Scholarship”.

*Donald died as an infant of SIDS. Sister: Dorothy Ragin, Nephews: Alfonso Ragin, Lawrence Rivers, III Nieces: Andrea Ragin and Cheryl Ragin - Preceded her in Death