Teressa Rivers

Teressa Hyatt Rivers, age 101, passed away on the morning of August 29, 2016 at her home on Lake Lotus. She was the widow of Hal Newman Rivers, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage the year before he died in October, 1993.

Born in Bishopville, South Carolina, she was the daughter of Bernice Rollins Hyatt and Harrison Edward Hyatt, who was a merchant. She attended grammar school in Bethune, South Carolina and had singing parts in the school’s plays. She graduated from Bishopville High School in 1935 and after moving to Orlando, Florida to live with her cousin, Iris Arthur, she attended Southern School of Commerce taking business courses and then to Ray’s School of Beauty Culture to become a beautician and work at Ray’s Beauty Shop. During her marriage she kept the books for Hal Rivers’ Service Station on the corner of Rosalind and Robinson Avenues in downtown Orlando. They worked together for over 35 years before retiring to travel the country in their Airstream travel trailer.

Teressa was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church from 1946 to the present. She was a member of Orlando 131 Order of the Eastern Star and supported her husband as he became the Master of his Masonic Lodge and a member of the Bahia Shrine Temple, where he was president of the Oriental Band. She has been an active member of the Bahia Shrine Widows Club and became an avid Florida State Seminole fan since both of her children graduated from FSU. She was so loved for her kindness and good will to all, never saying unkind words to anyone. Teressa could always understand others, perhaps, because she was such a strong listener rather than a talker. When Broadway’s Women of the Church presented her with their annual award, she was flabbergasted…”why I didn’t do anything,” she exclaimed. But Myrtle White said, “That’s just the point; you don’t argue, complain, get into conflicts…you genuinely look out for others.”

She is survived by her daughter, Loreta Rivers Jackson, her son, Harrison Walter Rivers (Sheran Rivers), grandchildren: Teressa Jackson Carver, Hal William Jackson, Col. Tamara Pohle (Lt. Colonel Patrick Pohle), Harrison Thorne Rivers (Wendy Rivers)and great grandchildren: Joshua Carver, Case Pohle, Lance Pohle, Lauren Rivers and Hailey Rivers. She is predeceased by all of her siblings.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 3rd at 11:00 AM at Broadway United Methodist Church in downtown Orlando.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the charity of your choice or to Hospice of the Comforter. “Good night, sweet (lady), / And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Gotha, FL.