08/04/2026
Robin Evans Rivers
Robin Evans Rivers, 64, of Florence, South Carolina, wife of Franklin G. Rivers, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on April 19, 1962, in Lake City, South Carolina, Robin was the daughter of the late Freddie Lee Evans and Joan Mishoe Evans. She spent her life faithfully serving God, her family, her community, and the field of education.
Robin devoted 25 years to education. For 15 years, she taught and inspired countless students in the classroom and as a Reading Recovery interventionist. She later served for 10 years at the South Carolina Department of Education, where her leadership and dedication helped advance educational excellence throughout the state.
Her heart for serving others extended far beyond her career. For the last nine years, she lovingly cared for her husband with remarkable strength, patience, and selfless devotion. Even while courageously battling cancer herself since 2023, she continued to put others before herself, demonstrating the unconditional love that defined her life.
Robin embraced life with energy and enthusiasm. She loved running and was passionate about health and fitness, teaching aerobics and fitness classes. Whether she was in the classroom, at church, with family, or in the gym, she had a special gift for encouraging others.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Franklin G. Rivers; her children, Evans Rivers of Florence and Mary Allyson Rivers Gamble and her husband, Aaron, of Florence; her grandchildren, Rivers Gamble, 7, Marlee Gamble, 7, Madeline Gamble, 5, and Mila Aguilar, 1; her brothers, Glenn Evans and his wife, Nancy, of Hartsville, South Carolina, and Ricky Evans and his wife, Melinda, of Coward, South Carolina; a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends.
Nothing brought Robin greater joy than being “Maroo” to her precious grandchildren, who were the light of her life. From hours spent in the school carline to countless days caring for them, she treasured every moment with “her babies.”
Robin was born and raised in First Baptist Church of Lake City, where she faithfully worshipped for most of her life. In recent years, she became a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Florence. Her relationship with Christ guided every aspect of her life and was the source of the peace, hope, and courage she carried through every season.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 PM on Friday, August 7, 2026 at Ebenezer Baptist Church with a memorial service to be held at 2:00 PM in the church sanctuary directed by Calcutt-Dowling Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice House, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502, to the American Cancer Society for Ovarian Cancer Research at www.donate.cancer.org, or Ebenezer Baptist Church, 524 S. Ebenezer Road, Florence, SC 29501.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the village for the love given to Robin and the family. They are grateful for MUSC Charleston and McLeod of Florence for the compassionate care given to her during this difficult journey.
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