Obituary of Cheryl Avevlin Rivers

Cheryl Avevlin Rivers (McCleskey), 44, of Parker, Colorado passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on Monday December 12, 2016 at home. She was born on June 12th, 1972 in Macon, GA. She is survived by her two daughters, Christal Rivers, 22, of Jackson, GA and Shelby Rivers, 15, of Parker, CO; Her Brother Michael McCleskey, of Twiggs County, GA and Her sister Sandy Gibson (McCleskey), of Pueblo West, CO. as well as her sister Kim Groft (McCleskey), and brother-in-law Michael Groft, of Parker, CO; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Bernice and Kelly McCleskey and Step Father Lenny Hammond. Cheryl was a loving parent to her two daughters and always put their health and wellbeing before her own. She touched the lives of many and will be sorely missed. Her love for people and outgoing personality always brought joy to those around her. As those who knew her can attest, she struggled for many years with back problems, chronic pain and a disability that at times rendered her unable to walk. She lived most of her life in Middle Georgia raising her two daughters and bringing joy to her relatives and friends who surrounded her with love and support. She struggled with her constant pain and deteriorating back issues that ultimately made it too difficult to walk. She moved to Colorado in December of 2012 to live with her sister Kim Groft and brother-in-law Michael Groft. She went through multiple surgeries and regained the ability to walk, but continued to struggle with the chronic pain that became a constant focus of her life. On the Friday preceding her passing, she had her 5th back surgery to implant a spinal cord stimulator. She had high hopes that this would be the solution to give her the much-needed relief over her chronic pain. She was always working to be the best parent that she could be for both of her daughters and really disliked the separation from Christal Rivers who still lives in Georgia with her new husband Tyler Rivers (Hogge). Her time in Colorado was spent between raising Shelby into an energetic, successful teenager that was doing well in school. She really enjoyed watching Shelby participate in the many after school activities like color guard and spelling bees. She also really enjoyed listening to Shelby’s participation in Band and Orchestra Concerts put on by the school. Cheryl was a passionate lover of animals. She loved and spoiled her Chihuahua “Tinker Bell” and tried to take her everywhere she went. She also loved very much Shelby’s Chihuahua “Cookie” and her sister’s family dog “Creed” who is a boxer / pit bull mix. She also loved watching the many humming birds that would frequent the flowers and trees by the house. She maintained many hummingbird feeders to attract as many birds as possible. She spent many days sitting on the porch with her sister Kim, watching the humming birds feed and enjoying nature. We would ask that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in honor of Cheryl to: https://www.gofundme.com/cheryl-rivers-memorial-fund. The funds collected will be used to help pay for Cheryl’s final arrangements and any extra funds will be set aside for her daughter’s college fund. We will all miss Cheryl dearly and will grieve her early departure from our lives, while always remembering the fun, energetic and full of life Cheryl Avevlin Rivers. Services are not scheduled at this time, pending the return of her ashes to Georgia per her final wishes. She is to be laid to rest with her parents once the funds have been raised to support the costs of her headstone and cemetery fees. Her services will be scheduled once financial support is available to lay her to rest. Service Information