Submitted by
Vicki Ebert

Delma Elizabeth Rivers

Delma Elizabeth Rivers, longtime Ponca City resident, died early Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002, at her home. She was 92.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Grace Memorial Chapel. A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. Friday in the Grace Lawn Cemetery in Edmond. Services are under direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Delma Elizabeth Young was born on June 6, 1910, in Chattanooga, Okla., the daughter of Jefferson Davis and Katherine Stutzman Young. She grew up in "Chattie" and graduated from Chattanooga High School. She attended Central State University, now known as University of Central Oklahoma.

On July 25, 1930, Delma was united in marriage to E.C. "Gene" Rivers in Haskell, and the couple made their home in Chattanooga. In 1939, the couple moved to Ponca City and she worked for a time as a substitute teacher for the Ponca City public schools. In 1955, Delma went to work for the East Junior High School Cafeteria, and in 1971, she assumed the position as manager for Ponca City High School Cafeteria until retirement.

Delma was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and she enjoyed her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, ElAn Ri Shakti of the home in Ponca City; two sons, Ronald Eugene Rivers and Warren Telford Rivers of Ponca City; ten grandchildren, Todd Rivers, Joe Don Carder, Bill Rivers, Chris Rivers, Cathy Coughran, Jodie Squirell, Suzee Rivers, Julee Rivers, Cristin Hanson and Caroline Rivers; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two nephews; and one sister-in-law, Barbara Chambers.

Her husband on July 6, 1987, parents, three brothers and four sisters preceded Delma in death.

Memorial contributions may be made in Delma's memory to Alzheimer's Association, 6465 S. Yale St., Suite 318, Tulsa, Okla. 74136.