1939
Nancy
2008
Nancy Rivers
March 12, 1939 — June 16, 2008
Nancy Louise Hammons Rivers, 69, of Waco, Texas, formerly of Ludlow, passed away Monday, June 16, 2008 at the Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco.
Nancy was born to Dewey and Leona Hammons at their home in Ludlow, Kentucky on March 12, 1939. She had seven brothers and two sisters. She attended elementary and secondary schools in Ludlow, graduating from Ludlow High School in 1956. Post-secondary education was obtained at the University of Kentucky (Northern and Lexington campuses), University of West Virginia and Western Kentucky University.
Nancy began her employment career as a teller at the Ludlow Bank following her graduation from high school. After her marriage in December, 1960, she served in administrative positions in a variety of organizations including the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Purdue University School of Veterinary Science, Mingo County (WV) Development Corporation and Hospital Affiliates International. Following a move to Waco in 1981, she served as an administrative assistant at Word, Inc. until 1989. She was then employed in Scott and White's Waco Clinic until 1997 when she was made manager of Scott and White's O.B.-Gyn. Clinic located in Providence Hospital. She remained in that position until her retirement in November, 2000.
From Nancy's second decade, muscular dystrophy gradually, inexorably deprived her of mobility, confining her to a wheel chair during her last fifteen years. Though her physical strength slowly ebbed, she was lifted and sustained by the love and encouragement of her husband, family and friends. Her undaunted spirit cast off the chains of disability to soar on the wings of her poetry of joy, love and light. Her remarkable intelligence, wisdom, compassion, love of life, unyielding contention with adversity, rejection of bitterness and unquenchable love of God are ever present in her poems, prayers and stories. She took pleasure in adapting, coping and living well despite her body's failing strength. In so doing, she attained a victory of the spirit through an exemplary life of courage that inspired all who knew and loved her.
~ Ad Astra Per Aspera ~
Nancy is survived by her husband, David L. Rivers; sister, Martha (Clifford) Daly of Florence; brothers, Eugene (Loretta) Hammons of Crestview Hills, Charles (Barbara) Hammons of Ludlow, Harold Hammons of Felicity, Ohio, and Edwin (Linda) Hammons of Florence; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents,Dewey and Leona Fightmaster Hammons; three brothers, Elmer Hammons, Leo Hammons, and Bill Hammons; and one sister, Helen Troxell.
Memorials are suggested to the Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Hospice Program, 3000 Herring, Waco TX 76708 or the Muscular Dystrophy Association, P.O. Box 78960, Phoenix AZ 85062-8960.
Nancy was born to Dewey and Leona Hammons at their home in Ludlow, Kentucky on March 12, 1939. She had seven brothers and two sisters. She attended elementary and secondary schools in Ludlow, graduating from Ludlow High School in 1956. Post-secondary education was obtained at the University of Kentucky (Northern and Lexington campuses), University of West Virginia and Western Kentucky University.
Nancy began her employment career as a teller at the Ludlow Bank following her graduation from high school. After her marriage in December, 1960, she served in administrative positions in a variety of organizations including the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Purdue University School of Veterinary Science, Mingo County (WV) Development Corporation and Hospital Affiliates International. Following a move to Waco in 1981, she served as an administrative assistant at Word, Inc. until 1989. She was then employed in Scott and White's Waco Clinic until 1997 when she was made manager of Scott and White's O.B.-Gyn. Clinic located in Providence Hospital. She remained in that position until her retirement in November, 2000.
From Nancy's second decade, muscular dystrophy gradually, inexorably deprived her of mobility, confining her to a wheel chair during her last fifteen years. Though her physical strength slowly ebbed, she was lifted and sustained by the love and encouragement of her husband, family and friends. Her undaunted spirit cast off the chains of disability to soar on the wings of her poetry of joy, love and light. Her remarkable intelligence, wisdom, compassion, love of life, unyielding contention with adversity, rejection of bitterness and unquenchable love of God are ever present in her poems, prayers and stories. She took pleasure in adapting, coping and living well despite her body's failing strength. In so doing, she attained a victory of the spirit through an exemplary life of courage that inspired all who knew and loved her.
~ Ad Astra Per Aspera ~
Nancy is survived by her husband, David L. Rivers; sister, Martha (Clifford) Daly of Florence; brothers, Eugene (Loretta) Hammons of Crestview Hills, Charles (Barbara) Hammons of Ludlow, Harold Hammons of Felicity, Ohio, and Edwin (Linda) Hammons of Florence; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents,Dewey and Leona Fightmaster Hammons; three brothers, Elmer Hammons, Leo Hammons, and Bill Hammons; and one sister, Helen Troxell.
Memorials are suggested to the Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Hospice Program, 3000 Herring, Waco TX 76708 or the Muscular Dystrophy Association, P.O. Box 78960, Phoenix AZ 85062-8960.
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