Mary Belle Brown Rivers, daughter of the late Richard Allen Brown, Sr. and Mary Emma Coleman Brown was born in Flint, Michigan on October 20, 1941.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Johnnie Rivers, Jr., her eldest daughter, Johnnie Mary Rivers, and four siblings, Dorothy Ann Brown Smith, Raymond Brown, Michael Anthony Brown, and Richard Allen Brown, Jr.

Mary Belle received her formal education in the Lee County School System and graduated from the Lee County Training School in 1958. She was very intelligent in school and always was a hard worker. Later, Mary continued her educational journey at the Albany School of Beauty.
She was a licensed master cosmetologist, owner, and operator of De' Andre's Haircare Center and Laundromat for over 30 years. Mary Belle was also employed by Bob's Candies, Inc. for a number of years. Mary further worked with the Department of Juvenile Justice as a Corrections Officer and retired from the Albany Regional Youth Detention Center after 30 years of dedicated, public service.

Mary Belle never met a stranger and was always willing to help anyone in need. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed feeding her family members and friends. Mary's hobbies included completing crossword puzzles, fishing, gardening, reading and watching movies.

She leaves to cherish he memories a caring and loving children, Eustacia Kersey and Gregory Rivers both of Albany, Georgia; two siblings, Marie Brown Wright (Lem) of Smithville, Georgia, and Melvin Brown (Rutha) of Flint, Michigan, one Aunt Judy Bell Johnson of Smithville, GA; one sister and law, Murrie Rivers of Albany, Georgia; six grandchildren De'Andre Rivers, Vernicia Kersey, and Jayce Rivers all of Albany, Georgia, Jerrell Kersey (Tia) and Jakierra Rivers of Columbus, Georgia, Jasmine Dinkins (Dominique) of Fayetteville, North Carolina; five great-grandchildren, Jayden Kersey, Deontae Griggs of Albany, Georgia, Sidney and Symone Kersey of Columbus, Georgia, and Jaxen Dinkins of Fayetteville, North Carolina and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.