Columbia, SC and Columbus, OH – Alicia Ann Hickman Rivers, 67, entered into rest Friday, August 15.
Born September 22, 1946 in Orangeburg, SC, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Victor R. and Annie Long Smith Hickman.
Alicia is survived by her children Anna Lorraine “Lorrie” Rivers of CA, Dr. W. Evan (and Aline) Rivers of NM, Ashleigh Rivers (and John Harris) of SC, her childrens’ father Dr. William E. Rivers, her grandchildren Ariana Rivers, Evangelina Rivers, and Shelby Harris, her sister Gayle Hickman (and Arthur McAlexander), her brother Victor R. (and Vickie) Hickman, Jr., and her niece Caroline Hickman.
Alicia completed her BA at Columbia College, SC. She was an elementary and middle school English teacher, contract editor, and outreach coordinator for the South Carolina United Methodist Conference. She also volunteered for the SC Commission for the Blind. She then obtained a Masters of Divinity in Urban Ministry from Methodist Theological School of Ohio and served as Associate Pastor at Broad Street United Methodist in Columbus, OH. She was committed to the mission of the church to serve the homeless and those in need. She served at several other Columbus, OH churches and recently worked as an active advocate for other worthy causes including: environmental issues, healthcare, prison ministry, and literacy. In 2013, Alicia was recognized by UHCAN as one of Ohio’s seven outstanding Heath Care Leaders.
Visitation with the Rivers and Hickman families will be Saturday August 23, from 2:30 to 3:15 pm in the chapel of Blizzard Funeral Home in Wagener, SC. A graveside service will follow at 3:30 pm at the Oakview Cemetery in Salley, SC, conducted by the Rev. Karla Daniel.
A memorial service will be conducted at Union United Methodist Church, Irmo, SC on Friday August 29 at 11:00 am, and at Broad Street United Methodist Church, Columbus, OH, on September 6 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to:
The Nature Conservancy [Tributes can be made by phone by calling 1-800-628- 6860, or by mail to The Nature Conservancy, PO Box 6014, Albert Lea, MN 56007. Please be sure to include the following information: indication that the donation is for a tribute to Alicia Rivers, account number 129 724 15, and that Ashleigh Rivers is the notifying party.], Manna Café meal program or The Inn at Broad St. which provides transitional housing and counseling for those in need [Memorials can be made online at www.broadstreetumc.net/donate or by mail to 501 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Please indicate both online and on checks that the donation is a memorial to Alicia Rivers. Checks may be made to BSUMC.], or a worthy charity of your choice.
