United States Army Veteran, Mr. Alfred Joseph Rivers, a retired City of Cordele Commissioner, of 504 West 15th Avenue, Cordele, Georgia, died Monday, May 26, 2025, at the Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of the Bethel CME Church in Cordele, Georgia.  The burial, with military honors, will follow at the Bethel Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Alfred Joseph Rivers, affectionately known as "A. J.," was a distinguished figure whose legacy is marked by service, leadership, and dedication to his community. Born in Arabi, Georgia, he was the son of the late Willie Rivers and the late Frankie D. Smith Rivers.

A. J. Rivers proudly served as a World War II veteran from 1943 to 1946. His courage and commitment during the war laid the foundation for a life dedicated to public service and community involvement.

In 1972, A. J. Rivers made history as the first African American elected to a city-wide office in Cordele, serving as Commissioner until 2015. For many years during his tenure, he held the position of Vice Chairman exemplifying leadership and integrity.

A. J. Rivers married the lovely Vera Mae Stripling Rivers. Together, they built a loving family with four children: Gwen, Greg, Glenda, and Fain. Their family expanded to include six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren (and one on the way), and two great-great-grandchildren.

A. J. Rivers was a lifelong learner, graduating from the Holsey Cobb Institute in 1947. He furthered his education with credentials from the Life Underwriters Training Council Insurance in 1971 and Life Insurance Management from Tennessee State University in 1976. His career at North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company spanned 60 years, with 35 years in management and 25 years in the agency. In 1983, he became a certified instructor for insurance courses by the State Insurance Commissioner's Office.

A. J. was deeply committed to his community, holding memberships in numerous organizations:  Lifetime member of the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church; Scout Master in the early 1950s; Chairperson for both the American Cancer Society and American Red Cross; President of the Gillespie Development and Day Care Center for 17 years; he was actively involved with many programs to include, The Concerned Citizens That Care, Bright Future Program for Children, and the Cordele Youth Summer Institute.

His dedication extended to the American Legion, NAACP, Cordele Community Advancement Council, and the High Academics for Excellence Committee, among others.

He was recognized with numerous awards, celebrating his contributions and  leadership:  Outstanding Citizens Award from the Peaceful Riders Club (1979);  Humanitarian Achievement Award; "Man on the Move" (1989-90); 8th District Community Award from the Georgia Municipal Association (1994); "This is Your Life" Dedication for service to the community; USDA Rural Development Steadfast Award (2002); Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from the Cordele Lion Club (2014); and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce (2020).

A. J. Rivers transitioned on Monday, May 26, 2025. He was preceded in death by his siblings Willie Mae Rivers, Mildred Dunlap, Alphonso Rivers, and Robert McCormick, along with his parents.

His life was a testament to the power of dedication and service leaving a lasting legacy to his loving and devoted family, his wife, Vera Mae Stripling Rivers; his children, Gwendolyn Thrower of Cincinnati, Ohio, Gregory Rivers (Joan) of Warner Robins, Georgia, Glenda "Bonnie" Rivers of Byron, Georgia, and Fain Rivers-Dove (Selton) of East Orange, New Jersey; his grandchildren, Algernon J. Rivers (Saajida) of Orange, New Jersey, Crystal R. Martin (Keith) of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Leesha Thrower (Khisha) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Marcus Rivers (Jessica) of Albany, Georgia, Dionne Thrower of Cincinnati, Ohio, Javonne N. Dove of Smyrna, Georgia, Tara S. Jones of Newark, New Jersey, and Monique Tubbs (Julius) of Lake Wales, Florida; eight great grandchildren; two great, great grandchildren; a special niece and nephew, Diane Rivers and Alphonso Rivers, Jr. of Vero Beach, Florida; his cousins, Miriam Steinberg and Karen Loveless of  Hartford, Connecticut, and Tammie & Daniel Harris of Bloomfield, Connecticut, many special friends, to include, Cleveland Lemmons, Leroy Rogers, Willie   Patrick, Lin Barnes, Mattie Gary, Claudis Lester, and Lois & Hudd Hall.