Saundra Lanoway Rivers, 83, of Columbia, died on Monday, January 13, 2025. Born on April 27, 1941, in Columbia, she was a daughter of the late Emil Lanoway and Evelyn Cunningham Lanoway.

Mrs. Rivers grew up in Columbia and was a graduate of Dreher High School, Class of 1959. She then attended the University of South Carolina where she earned her degree in secretarial science. She was employed by Pilot Life Insurance Company before moving to Florida for a brief time. She then returned to Columbia where she was employed as a legal secretary with the law firms Boyd, Knowlton, Tate, & Finley and Haynesworth, Sinkler, & Boyd. She retired in July 2007. Mrs. Rivers, Saundra, loved her younger sisters dearly and cared for them and appreciated the special bond they shared. She and John enjoyed spending time relaxing at the beach and tending to her yard at her home in Columbia. She was an excellent cook who loved cooking for close friends and family. Mrs. Rivers had a special appreciation for all of God's creatures, especially her dogs Shag and Buttons.

Survivors include her husband, John Robert Rivers; sisters, Chele Lanoway of Columbia and Chaun Lanoway (Steve Knoche) of Pawleys Island.

The funeral service for Mrs. Rivers will be held at 2 o'clock, Friday, January 17th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext, Columbia. Burial will follow at Saint Peter's Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, South Carolina.

The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 1 o'clock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Homeward Bound Pet Rescue, PO Box 4335, Irmo, SC 29063.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.