Elizabeth Mary Steadman Rives was born May 2, 1923 to the late William Elijah Steadman and Elizabeth Lambert Steadman in Goldston, North Carolina. She was the youngest of 7 children, proceeded in death by William, Elma, George, Mabel, Erma and Dolly, as well as a special son -in-law Stanley Sanders Sr. She was 4 years of age when her parents moved from North Carolina to New Jersey. She was educated in both New Jersey and New York. On November 8, 1947 she was united in Holy Matrimony with Ralph Venice Rives. They were married for 50 years. Of this union, two children were born Lauren Charliene Rives Sanders and Ralph Brian Rives . While rearing her children and living in New York, she was a member of Rush Temple AME Zion Church. She worked for AT&T for many years and then went to work for the New York City Department of Health where she was an Administrative Assistant. After retirement she and Venice moved to Greensboro, North Carolina. There she joined Trinity AME Zion Church. She was a member of the Parent Body Missionary Society #1 and Stewardess Board #1. She leaves to mourn her loss her two children, two grandchildren Gail Burton and Debra Plater (Darrick), four great-grandchildren, Bernard II and Nina Pettus and Nya and Paige Plater, her former grandson-in-law Bernard Pettus, numerous other nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and one very special sister-friend, Evelyn Armstrong. A service honoring the life of Elizabeth Mary Steadman Rives will be held at Trinity AME Zion Church; 631 E Florida St, Greensboro, NC 27406 on Friday, January 12, 2018. The visitation will begin at 10:00 am and the service will follow at 10:30 am. The interment will take place following the service at Salisbury National Cemetery; 202 Government Rd, Salisbury, NC 28144.