Nell Rose (Doss) Rives

Nell Rose Doss Rives, born June 3, 1924, to Baxter Lavander “Van” Doss and Rose “Elma” Purvis Doss in Houlka, MS.  Nell graduated high school in 1942 and went to work for Western Union in Memphis, TN.  Later, she moved to the Washington, D. C., area to work for the Federal Government during WWII.  Her work with the government took her to Denver, CO, and later she went to San Francisco, CA, for new employment.  From here she moved to Irving, TX, where she met and married W. A. “Bill” Rives in June of 1954.  Their first child, Leah Rives Kessel, was born there in 1955. 

In 1957 Bill took a job in the Middle East establishing asphalt refineries. Nell accompanied him, along with their daughter and their son, Bill Rives, III, was born there.  In 1959 they returned to the States and lived in Texas until 1962 when they moved to Ponca City, OK.  Here their third child, Suzanne Rives Engelhart, was born.  In the late 1960’s Bill was traveling through Missouri for work and decided he wanted land in those beautiful green hills. In 1969 they all moved to Marble Hill, MO, after purchasing the Old Bess Place.  They remained on this land until the 1990s, but Marble Hill would always be their home.  They moved for a bit to Alabama after retirement, then returned to Marble Hill in the early 2000’s, where they remained until Bill’s death. 

Nell remained in her home here until she was no longer to live alone, then lived with her daughter, Suzanne, for 3 years in Middle Tennessee.  Again, Nell returned to Marble Hill to complete her journey at Stonebridge Living Center.  We appreciate the care the staff gave to Momma in her last days. 

On April 6, 2023, she went to be with her Lord Jesus and all the family that has gone on before her.  She was preceded in death by her parents, six siblings and Bill, her husband of 58 years.

She is survived by three sisters, Lucy Doss, Maeuna Arthur and Anita Bratton, her children Leah (Kurt) Kessel, Bill (Karen) Rives and Suzanne (Andy) Englehart, as well as ten grandchildren (Garrett (Rachel) Rives, Erik Rives, Mason (Brittany) Englehart, Katie (Ben) Wadley, Claire (Justin) Phelan, Caroline (Jassen) Carter, Philip Kessel, Peter Kessel, Joseph Kessel and Emma Englehart and ten great-grandchildren, Della Phelan, Evie Wadley, John Phelan, James Wadley, Charlie Carter, Olivia Englehart, Henry Wadley, Birdie Rives, Addie Rives and Rosemary Carter. 

A celebration of Nell’s life will take place Saturday, May 20th, at First Baptist Church of Marble Hill, at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Baptist Church, 502 Broad St., Marble Hill, MO, 63764.  Momma was a member here many years and they have served the community well, including in the aftermath of the recent tornado that hit Glen Allen, MO.

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