Shep N. Rivera

Carmen Maria Rivera Shep N. Rivera
On October 12, 2018 "The Five Monsters" bid a very unexpected, intensely sad farewell to their mother Shep N. Rivera, also known as Mikma to many others. She was preceded in death by her parents Ida and Buddy Smith, older brother Boyd Smith and Mary and Elmer Foeller (paternal aunt and uncle). She leaves to cherish her memory, children Carmen Rivera (Gauldin), John Rivera, Rick Rivera (Krista and son, Jake) Dan Rivera (Angie and sons, Mason and Lane) and Tanya Rivera-Yates (Shawn), brother Jim Smith and niece Pam Smith Gerber (Danny). She loved her eight grandchildren-Tre` Gauldin, Candace Gauldin Fannin (Josh) Tristan Rivera, Nicolas Rivera, Jackson and Jake Rivera, and Stephen and Autumn Yates. She left behind three great-grandchildren, Matthew Gauldin, and Maria and Madelyn Fannin. Each of her offspring was her favorite. Shep also leaves behind many other relatives and friends both near and far away.
Shep was born in Pottsville PA., to Ida Mae (Hay) Smith and Howard Boyd (Buddy) Smith. She grew up surrounded by a large and loving family to include her hilarious younger brother Jim Smith and her beloved aunt and uncle, Mary and Elmer Foeller. There was never a dull moment growing up in the Smith household. From birth Shep learned the importance of family, loyalty and also developed her deep love of animals and her green thumb. She could make anything grow.
Her adventurous spirit led her to join the army, where she met Julian Rivera a fellow soldier over a pack of Lucky Strikes. The two fell in love and married six weeks later. Eventually she gave up her position with the army and stayed home to raise her family. They moved around the world, settling at Ft. Lee Va., subsequently moving to Prince George County and building a home. She worked hard at home and worked for many years in the Petersburg Health Department and also Kenner Army hospital as a Ward Clerk. She loved her job and the staff she worked with. Her last official working role in life was working at J.T. Morriss in Petersburg Va., in a custodial role until struck down by a horrific stroke. Ultimately she returned to her home, and lived on her own for many, many years. She was an example of sheer will and courage. Nothing could keep her down, and quite simply none of her offspring every really thought she could die.
She was tough, a mighty warrior always facing any battle with courage, and a sense of humor that sustained not only her, but her five children no matter what life threw at any of them. She saw to it that five learned to swim, learned a foreign language, learned to play a musical instrument and all received a college degree. Shep did not settle for anything less.
While growing up her children had a variety of pets including the routine dogs and cats. But with Shep there was always room for more and the menagerie grew to include, horses, ducks, mice, hamsters, snakes, lizards, a caiman and even a tarantula. Ooooopppps forgot to mention the chickens and the rabbits and the fish and the birds and the iguanas (the iguanas hers!) Because people knew she had a way with animals she was brought a baby squirrel to raise. With her never ending sense of humor she named him Rabbit Squirrel, keeping him for several years until he died of old age.
Shep could cook for the multitude, clean, sew, run a household with ease, decorate on a whim, care for multiple types of pets, but she also could use a chain saw, a table saw, multiple tools and could build just about anything. And so she did.
Shep N. Rivera will always be remembered for her mighty strength, her great loyalty and sense of humor. She will be missed beyond words leaving quite a legacy. She will be remembered by her family and friends with a private celebration. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Humane Society of the United States ( http://www.humanesociety.org/ ). Condolences may be registered online at www.jtmorriss.com .