Rivers, Morris E. - Putnam

Last rites were held in the Russellville Federated Church Sunday afternoon for Aviation Cadet Morris E. Rivers, who died in a plane crash in Texas. Rev. Bickett had charge of the services and burial was in the Russellville cemetery.  Pall bearers were Orville Everman, George Kelly, Ray Rivers, Oren Kelly and Lawrence Kelly.  Flower bearers were Mabel Potter, Olive Evans, Alice Compton, Lucille Buekler, Doris Wilson, Mary Cooper, Betty Cooper, Beverly Cooper, Helen Harbison, Barbara Kelly, Janice Kelly, Bettye Rose Jines, Jean Greves, Wilma Haines, Ardell Rivers, Inez Harbison, Ella Jane Kelly, Esther Kelly. Ramona Phillips, Dorothy Everman, Iola Kelly, Virginia Smithson, Loraine Smithson, Walker Ramsey and Raymond Harbison. Honorary pall bearers were Lt. Ramsey, Maj. Sutherlin, Lt. Harbison, Lt. Chas Rensenhouse and Lt. Overstreet.  Several instrumental pieces were played on the piano by Iva Reynolds, including the Army Air Corps song, Maurice Bratton sang “My Buddie” and Mrs. EF Breaks and Mrs. Lester McClamroch sang, “Whispering Hope.”  Several members of the WACS and officers from Stout Field attended and the military services were conducted at the grave by a firing squad. The crowd of relatives and friends taxed the church to its capacity. - kbz