Annie Marie Rivers Phillips Thornton

January 25, 1923 - March 11, 2024

In the rugged beauty of Rough Creek, nestled in northwest rural Fisher County, Annie Marie Rivers entered the world on January 25, 1923. A cherished daughter of James Patton Rivers and Nancy Anne Hammock, known fondly as J.P. and Annie, she was the beacon of light amidst her nine older brothers, a precious gem in the embrace of her family's love. With each passing year, she blossomed, her spirit nurtured by nature's grandeur in the beauty of her surroundings.

On July 16, 1938, in a celebration of young love and boundless dreams, Annie Marie exchanged vows with her high school sweetheart and childhood companion, Calvin Lloyd Phillips. Together, they embarked on an odyssey across the United States, traversing the landscapes of love and war as Calvin served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Their journey continued upon their return home, as they dedicated themselves to the stewardship of the C-Bar Ranch and the aerial ballet of 'Calvin Phillips Flying Service.' Even after Calvin's earthly journey reached its end, Annie Marie's indomitable spirit endured, her legacy intertwined with the rhythms of the land and the sky as brushstrokes on the canvas of life.

In the wake of loss, Annie Marie found solace in the embrace of C. J. Thornton, their companionship a testament to the resilience of the human heart. Together, they navigate life until C. J.'s earthly voyage ended in 2001.

A serendipitous Christmas gift in 1952 unveiled a new chapter in Annie Marie's life, as a small art set bestowed upon her by Calvin and their daughters ignited a passion that would define her legacy. In April of 1974, the doors of 'Marie's Art Studio' swung open in downtown Rotan, inviting souls from Fisher and beyond into a realm where creativity danced upon the canvas. Each year, on the cusp of Independence Day, her and her students’ exhibitions cast a spell upon the town, drawing admirers from far and wide, their hearts stirred by the beauty they conjured with their brushes. Among her masterpieces, the Kachina doll series, unveiled in a mesmerizing showcase at Western Texas College, stood as a testament to her divine gift, a symphony of colors and emotions that resonated with all who beheld its splendor.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Annie Marie was the embodiment of domestic elegance, her culinary creations and elegant stitches weaving a tapestry of warmth and comfort along with her green thumb a testament to her love for the earth. Yet, amidst the mundane rhythms of life, her true joy lay in the laughter of her grandchildren and the bonds of family. Each holiday and birthday were a celebration of love and legacy, a testament to the enduring ties that bound them together.

In the corridors of time, Annie Marie bore witness to the passage of history, her unwavering spirit navigating through 17 presidencies with the 30th President Calvin Coolidge being the first. Her intellect and sharp wit found expression in her musings on the ever-changing landscape of politics, drawing parallels between political eras, likening Donald Trump to the indomitable spirit of Harry Truman. Her daily diary, penned with reverence from 1964 to 2017, bore witness to the triumphs and tribulations of her journey, documenting information about family, friends, the community, each page a testament to a life lived with purpose and passion.

Faith was the cornerstone of Annie Marie's existence, with Calvary Baptist serving as her church home. To her, each stroke of paint upon the canvas was a prayer, each whispered word a communion with the Lord.

She now joins her forebears in the eternal embrace, preceded by her parents, both husbands, and all her brothers, Jasper (Jap), George, Jesse, Earl, Ray, Archie Mac, Charles Elyet, Herbert Clint, and Bascum Washington (Wash) - all of the Rivers family and many other friends and family.

She is survived by her children, Patricia Janet Porter (Mike) of Hobbs, TX and Vicki Dalene Morton (Jack deceased) of Roby, TX. Grandchildren, Terry Calvin Porter (Beverly) of Munday, TX; Tonya Marie Jones (Wayne) of Hobbs, Tx; Michael Wayne Porter (Kimberly) of Abilene, TX; Aaron David Porter (Delana) of Warda, TX; and Patricia Lee Hurt (Jeff) of Hobbs, TX. Also, Anitra Dalene Anderle (Mark) of Graham, TX; Vicki Lynn Fincher (Chad) of San Angelo, TX; Paul Hyer of Roby, TX; and Jeremy Kyle Hyer (Tonya) of Hobbs, TX.

She was also blessed with 37 great-grandchildren, 49 great-great grandchildren, 2 great-great-great grandchild and 2 more great-great grandchildren are expected in August.

As she took her leave from this earthly realm, Annie Marie left behind a legacy of love and creativity that transcends earthly bounds. In honor of her remarkable life, a celebration will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Rotan. Amidst the solemn strains of remembrance, ministers David Acevedo and Ryan Holmes will lead the congregation in prayer, while pallbearers Brad Rivers, Bruce Rivers, Kevin Rivers, Larry Messick, Brian Harrison, and Jeff Hurt (who carried her to the car for doctor visits many times and said he would consider it an honor to carry her one last time) honor her memory with reverence and grace.

Her earthly remains will find their final resting place in Grady Cemetery, also known as the McCombs Graveyard, in Fisher County, just north of her lifetime home amidst the vibrant hues of rust and greens painting the landscape, while the sky above transforms into a canvas of fiery oranges, deep purples, and dusky blues, reflecting the drama of the West Texas sunset. The colors of this West Texas landscape here in Fisher County reflect her natural beauty and the untamed spirit of our family matriarch Annie Marie or 'Ree' to all her grandchildren and many others. She captivated the imagination and stirred the soul of creativity in everyone.

She will be missed.

SHE PAINTS by grandson, Aaron Porter

She stares at the canvas so white and pure Knowing the image in her mind will work its way through. She chooses her brush and gently loads the paint And slow steady hands begin showing it faint, Her mind sees each stroke of the brush She never gets in a hurry, or a slow rush The colors are dancing and filling the space Playing to the music of age and sweet grace. A hint of light here And shadow hiding there When all said and done It will soon appear. Each one different But in a way all the same All done with love By a master She paints.

We want to extend our thanks and gratitude to all the staff at Stonewall Living Center in Aspermont for their kindness and care for Annie Marie Thornton during her stay there, and also, many thanks to Dr. Frederic Passmann and the medical staff at Stonewall Memorial hospital for their tender care before her passing.