Frances "Elise" Mack Rivers

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina: Frances "Elise" Mack Rivers passed away on July 20, 2025, at the age of 85 with her family by her side.

Born on August 6, 1939, in Cameron, South Carolina, Elise was the daughter of the late John Lewis Mack and Frances Gwendolyn Payne Mack. Her early years were shaped by time spent in Kingstree, SC with her mother’s family during her father’s service in World War II. These formative experiences with her grandmother, aunts and cousins instilled in her a deep sense of family and resilience that would remain central throughout her life.

Elise later moved to Columbia, where she graduated from Dreher High School in 1957 as a member of the National Honor Society. Following graduation, she moved to Charleston to attend nursing school at the Medical College of South Carolina, now MUSC. During her time there she met Tommy Rivers, a medical student at the Medical College. The two married in September of 1959, lived in Charleston and raised five children together: Elizabeth Rutledge, Frances Alston Payne, Elise Pinckney, Thomas Pinckney Rutledge, Jr and Caroline Pinckney. The family was blessed to have a beach house on Sullivan’s Island that her father-in-law, G.L.Buist Rivers, Sr. built in the 1930’s. Sullivan's Island and the summer memories made there were embedded into Elise’s very being, the essence of who she was.

As a mother, Elise was unfailingly dedicated. She was a constant presence in her children’s lives, supporting them in their activities, including fearlessly driving Elizabeth, Franny and their ponies to horse shows all over SC, NC and GA. She was a skilled, self-taught seamstress who made delightful clothes for herself and her children. She was also a gifted gardener, creating beautiful unique gardens wherever she lived. Elise was an active volunteer in her community. During her time in the Junior League of Charleston, one of her proudest achievements was being chair of the Cookbook Committee for a subsequent printing of Charleston Receipts. She volunteered with The Charleston Historical Society and served as a tour guide of downtown Charleston. She worked for the St. Cecilia Society from 1999 to 2016 and was indispensable, keeping the books and managing the huge task of coordinating the invitations for the yearly Ball. Elise was also a long time member of St. Philip's Church in Charleston.

After her divorce in 1981, Elise moved to Mt. Pleasant and charted a new path, working for her friend, Jane Gregorie at By The Yard, a drapery and upholstery fabric store that later became GDC Home. She also worked at Porgy and Bess, the beloved gift and clothing store downtown on Church Street. Later she pursued a career in banking. Her ability to reinvent herself with grace and determination was a testament to her character and spirit.

In her retirement she volunteered at MUSC Children's Hospital in the NICU, holding and rocking babies whose parents couldn’t be present. She was an avid backyard bird enthusiast, with multiple feeders in her yard. She delighted in watching and talking to her avian visitors, many of whom raised their young in her bird houses.

A person of utmost importance to Elise was Edna Cummings. Edna came to work for the family in June of 1967 and quickly became Elise’s right hand, confidante and dear friend. Edna continued to be a valued and treasured part of Elise’s life until the day she passed. Elise’s children treasure Edna’s friendship and advice, and of course, her recipes!

Elise’s warmth, strength, and elegance left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Those who counted themselves as one of her friends or one of her children's friends were touched by her zest for life and her ability to make people laugh. She could often be seen at weddings or parties surrounded by friends of her children and grandchildren, all laughing at some memory, listening to some sage advice she had, or just enjoying the conversation.

Elise is survived by her 5 beloved children: Elizabeth Rivers Meadows (Glenn), Frances Rivers Slay (Brian), Elise Rivers Kennedy (Sean), Thomas Pinckney Rutledge Rivers, Jr (Lisa), and Caroline "Cacky" Pinckney Rivers (Angelo); 10 grandchildren; Charles Heath Heyl IV (Sarah), Anne Heyl Kody (Thomas), Eliza Turner Heyl, Alston Rivers Slay (Ashley), Richard Andrew Slay (Kathryn), Kyle William Kennedy (Kendall), Madeleine Elise Kennedy Jenkins (Warner), Charlotte Lazarus Bass (Brittain), Moultrie Rutledge Rivers Williams and Caroline Pinckney Williams; 7 great grandchildren and 2 on the way. She is also survived by her brother John Lewis Mack, Jr, of Atlanta, half-sister Elaine Mack Russell of Candler, NC, sister-in-law Carroll W. Rivers, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Her legacy continues in the lives of her children and grandchildren, who seek to carry forward her kindness, strength, grace and unshakable devotion to family.

Her funeral service will be held, Thursday, August 21, 2025 at St. Michael's Church, 71 Broad St, Charleston, SC at 2:00 pm. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Carolina Yacht Club, 50 East Bay St. 

The family requests that donations be made in Elise’s memory to St. Phillips Church, 142 Church St., Charleston, SC 29401 or The Center for Birds of Prey - Avian Conservation Center, 4719 North Highway 17, Awendaw, SC 29429.

A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.