James Batts Rives, Jr.

James B. Rives, Jr., 77, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, December 13, after a long illness. Funeral services will be held in the Chapel at Southern Hills church of Christ in Abilene on Saturday, December 17, at 2 PM. Interment will follow in Buffalo Gap Cemetery under the direction of the Piersall-Benton Funeral Directors. The family will receive visitors from 5-7 PM Friday, December 16, at Piersall-Benton.

Jim was born on April 19, 1934, in San Antonio, Texas to James B., Sr, and Hazel Hicks Rives. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, he attended The University of Texas and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. His 38 year career with DuPont saw him residing in Wilmington, Delaware; Parkersburg, West Virginia and Orange, Texas. While in Wilmington he met and married Barbara Anna Sunderland on Dec 17, 1966.

Throughout his life, Jim’s hobbies centered on community and church activities. He was a long-time Elder at the 9th & Elm and Fellowship churches of Christ in Orange, Texas. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts of America for many years and received the Silver Beaver award. Additional community involvement included membership in the Orange Community Players and service on the boards of the local United Way, the West Orange-Cove CISD, and the DuPont Sabine River Works Federal Credit Union. He also served the elderly of Orange County for many years by providing free tax preparation at the library. Jim and Barbara moved to Abilene in 2005 to be near their daughters and their families.

Jim is survived by his wife of almost 45 years, Barbara Sunderland Rives of Abilene. He is also survived by daughter and son-in-law Betsy and David Colwell, daughter and son-in-law Marcia and Greg Straughn, and grand-daughters Emily and Megan Colwell and Eva, Anna, and Mattye Straughn, all of Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents, James B., Sr. and Hazel Hicks Rives.

The entire family expresses much appreciation and thanks to his wonderful caregivers from Home Instead: Bryce Flanders, Reta Crawford, Terry Victorina, and others. We also thank the nurses and other caregivers at The Abbey at Wesley Court where he spent his final days, and Hendrick Hospice for their compassionate care. An endowed scholarship in his name has been established for students in the new Department of Engineering and Physics at Abilene Christian University. Memorial donations may be made to the James B. Rives, Jr. endowed scholarship at ACU Box 29132, Abilene, TX 79699. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.