Dr. J. B. Rivers

Dr. Jesse Burns Rivers, 79, affectionately known as “J.B.” passed into glory on December 21, 2023, with family by his side in Columbia, South Carolina. J.B. is survived by his wife, Patsy White Rivers, and their two children, Angela Rivers Outhous (Dean) and Jeffrey Brian Rivers (Allison). He was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren (Ashtyn (Nicolas), Grace, Joy, Sophia, Carson, Rylie, Jaden, and Tye) and two great-grandchildren (William Burns and Jackson Paul). J.B. was born on October 1, 1944, in Lancaster, South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson University in 1966 and married his first-grade sweetheart, Patsy, on May 15, 1966. He went on to graduate from Southern College of Optometry in 1969. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. In 1971, he became a partner at Eye Associates and retired in 2017. He was a founding member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Columbia where he dedicated himself to serving in many capacities, including Elder for over forty years. There are so many words that would do a fine job framing the character of J.B. such as modest, humble, compassionate, tender, and servant. However, none better distinguish J.B. than “meek”. The grace and glory of his meek spirit always appeared in his engagement with others. J.B.’s life portrayed a spirit of meekness that left the stamp of the Spirit of the Lord upon whomever he touched. With this spirit he devoted his life to compassionately serving others. It’s what made him so loveable and treasured by so many – valuing others more than himself because of the grace imparted to him from his Savior. J.B.’s meekness was impossible to miss during this past year while he battled cancer. God rained down uncommon grace through J.B. while he lived a life quietly vulnerable to God’s designs and while he calmly rejoiced in those designs even when divine affliction was at his front door. From his love for the Lord to his impact on people, nothing describes him in the ultimate since without understanding his endearing and devoted love for his precious wife. Everything he stood for and everything he put his hand to always had Patsy at the center. She was the love of his life, the treasure of his heart, his ultimate prize. J.B. lived his life to serve others and has found joy. He lived loving his wife and has found the Wedding Feast. He lived under grace and has found glory. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2023, at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Reverend Joshua Knott will officiate the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in JB’s memory to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, 5637 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212.