William Gerald (Jerry) Rivenbark

William Gerald (Jerry) Rivenbark, 87, of Rose Hill passed away peacefully on February 23, 2023, at Warsaw Nursing and Rehab.

Born February 3, 1936, in Pender County, North Carolina Jerry was the son of the late George Alex and Radie (Groves) Rivenbark and was the third of six siblings.

Jerry proudly served in the U.S. Army as an Escort Guard between the years of 1959 and 1961. After his time in the Army Jerry worked for several years at JP Stevens. It was during this time that he met Bobbie Jean Fields of Rose Hill at the Dairio in Wallace, NC. The two later married on March 17 of 1962. Their first and only son, William Gerald Rivenbark Jr. was born later that year. Jerry went on to work at Ideal Cement for 15 years and later joined his wife and son at their family owned and operated business, R&R Auto Parts. For many years Jerry managed the Polaris dealership and auto parts store while running his auto garage next door with friend and business partner, Mickey Whaley. Later in life Bobbie Jean and Jerry decided to close the doors to their auto parts store and reopened as R&R Thrift Store after discovering their shared interest in visiting auctions and restoring old knick knacks.

Jerry is proceeded in death by his parents, Alex and Radie Rivenbark, his brothers Horace and Frank Rivenbark, and his sisters Joyce Hastings and Sybil Dail.

Living on to cherish his loving memory is Jerry’s beloved wife of 61 years, Bobbie Fields Rivenbark, his son and best friend, Gerald Rivenbark and wife Ronda, granddaughters Gerron Bishop and husband, Justin, Anna Henderson and husband Adam, his great-grandchildren Abel Henderson and Sivvy Anna Bishop, brother Tony Rivenbark and wife Kathy, his sister-in-law, who he saw as his own sister, Jennie Stroud and husband, Herbert, brother-in-law, Skipper and wife Kathy, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Jerry enjoyed the simple things in life like a hot cup of a coffee and a good western on T.V. He was an avid bird watcher and up until his passing he raised his own chickens and occasionally quail. He had a passion for collecting and restoring old tractors and anytime you caught him up on one of his tractors you’d likely catch him with a big smile on his face too.

Those that knew Jerry describe him as a good man with a big heart, but if you were to ask Jerry, his favorite way to be described he’d say, “Pepe” (grandfather) as his granddaughters first deemed him. In 1991 Jerry’s twin granddaughters were born and they instantly became the apples of his eye. In 2019 he became a great-grandfather to Abel and again in 2021 to Sivvy Anna. Of all the things that Jerry accomplished in his 87 years, being “Pepe” was by far his proudest and most fulfilling.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm at Rose Hill Cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at the home.

The family would also like to extend their most heartfelt appreciation for the nurses and staff at Warsaw Nursing and Rehab for their exceptional care, love, and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rose Hill Methodist Church.

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