Mattie Bell Rivers was born on November 9, 1932 to Ella Bell Goodman in Milledgeville, Georgia. Mattie had several siblings and attended school there. As a young adult she relocated to Washington, DC. In Washington she fell in love and married Harding Rivers. Their union created ten children. Mattie and Harding moved to New York, where Mattie began working at North Shore Hospital. There she would meet and develop a life-long friendship with Ora Sowell and Jessie Files. Mattie left North Shore Hospital and started employment as a Certified Nurse Assistant at A Holly Patterson Home in Uniondale Long Island. Mattie remained there until retirement.

Mattie Bell was raised Baptist and converted in her adult life to Jehovah Witness until her passing.

Mattie enjoyed being around people and socializing, she especially loved being in the company of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She enjoyed cooking, her best dishes included mac & cheese, spaghetti, cakes, pies and her son Andre favorite stuffing.  She enjoyed going to yard sales with her friends. She loved nurturing her many plants. Mattie always looked forward to attending her family reunions where she saw all of her siblings, nieces and nephews.

On Thursday, February 2, 2023 Mattie Bell received her wings and was called home.

Mattie was preceded in death by her son Andre Franklin Rivers and daughter Lynn Inez Rivers.

Mattie leaves here in her memory her children: Mary J. White, Angela M. Eason, and Donald E. Rivers of New York, Shelia M. White (Charles), Celeste Santana of Maryland, Irene Rivers of Virginia, Raymond Rivers (Peggie) of North Carolina, and Kelly A. Rivers of Florida; God daughter Lashaunda Huggins of New Jersey; grandchildren: Chad, Tina, Shawn, Andreana, Jamel, Fu’ Quan, Ashley, Brian, Dominique, Taz, Taylor, Akeem, and Desiree; great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, best friend Ora Sowell.

A celebration of Mattie’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 259 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD 21921, where family and friends may begin visiting at 10:00 AM. To send online condolences please visit, www.rtfoard.com