Jess N. Rivas

Rev. Jess Neves Rivas, Jr., 44, of 11 Notchwood Court, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 20, 2005. Born in Sun Valley, CA, he was a son of the late Jess M. and Ruth Neves Rivas. Mr. Rivas earned a Bachelors? and Masters Degree from Tabernacle Bible College. He was assistant pastor, youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, choir member, and director of evangelism of Freedom Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of twenty-two years, Leesa Dodgens Rivas, of the home; three sons, Jason, David, and Jonathan Rivas, all of the home; three sisters, Gwen Wood of Forest City, NC, Cookie Conner of Rutherfordton, NC, and Karen Taylor of Landrum; three brothers, Carroll Costner of Union Mills, NC, Dane Neves of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and Gene Neves of Greenville; and a special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steve and Susie Coldiron, of Pickens. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 6:00 ? 8:00 pm at Freedom Baptist Church. Services will be held on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Freedom Baptist Church. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Freedom Baptist Church Building Fund, 1907 W. Parker Rd., Greenville, SC 29617. The family is at the residence. Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest is in charge of arrangements.