Feb. 9, 1917 – April 28, 2011

BATON ROUGE — Services for Bernice Tullos Rives, 94, of Baton Rouge, who died Thursday, April 28, 2011, surrounded by her family at Natchez Regional Medical Center, will be 11 a.m. Monday at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East Chapel with her grandson Richard Fisher officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park under the direction of Rabenhorst Funeral Home East in Baton Rouge.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 10 a.m. until service time Monday, both at the funeral home.

Mrs. Rives was born Feb. 9, 1917, in Charlotte, Texas, the daughter of William and Ethel Tullos. She was a graduate of Texas Women’s University, majoring in English and speech. During this time she met her husband, Jacob D. Rives, a graduate of Texas A&M. After his service in World War II, they moved to the Baker-Zachary area.

Mrs. Rives taught at Zachary High School, during which time, she earned her master’s degree at Southeastern University in Hammond, La. When Tara High School opened, she transferred and taught senior English for 21 years until she retired in 1982.

Mrs. Rives often commented that she was very fortunate to share her love of teaching with all those she came to know. She truly loved her career. When meeting former students, she was always delighted when they demonstrated their ability to still be able to recite the prologue to “the Canterbury Tales.”

After retiring, she enjoyed world travel, making porcelain dolls, beading, knitting and making jewelry. Her greatest joy was being “Memamma” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Baker Presbyterian Church for 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her father; her mother and stepfather, Frank Robinson; and her husband, Jacob D. Rives.

Survivors include one son, William D. “Bill” Rives and wife, Lois, of Natchez; one daughter, Sherry Ann Fisher and husband, Bert, of Gonzalas, La.; five grandchildren, Tammy Rives Cranford and husband, Christopher, William D. “Will” Rives II and wife, Larena, Kelly Fisher Parrish and husband, Michael, Richard Fisher and wife, Tabitha, and Russell Fisher and wife, Lori; 11 great-grandchildren, Meighan and Gracie Lee, Morgan Rives, Keely Pace, Kristen and Michael Kyle Parrish and Colby, Alex, Dylan, Jordan and Ross Fisher.

Pallbearers will be W.D. Rives, Will Rives, Richard Fisher, Russell Fisher, Greg Lee and Kyle Parrish.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bert Fisher, Michael Parrish, Frank Junkin Jr. and Parrish Foote.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 116 John St., New York, NY 10038 or www.apdaparkinson.org.