Eartha L. Rivers-Colter was born October 26, 1942 in North, SC.  She was the oldest of three daughters born to Bernice Hook (Rivers). Along with her mother, Eartha was raised by her loving and devoted grandparents; the late Thomas and Georgia Rivers.

As a child, Eartha committed her life to Christ while attending her family church, St. James United Methodist Church in North, SC. Eartha matriculated through the Lexington County public school system where she graduated from Monroe Pinckney High School, Swansea, SC in 1961.

In 1963, Eartha married Aubrey L. Colter and moved to Washington, DC. Though the marriage ended, it gave them three sons, Andre, Bernard (Clifford), and Prentice.  As a stay-at-home mom, Eartha devoted herself to raising her sons. She served at each of their schools in many capacities such as PTA, chaperone, drill team sponsor, and camp fire mom.

In 1994, Eartha rededicated her life to Jesus Christ and joined Church of the Great Commission (CGC), Camp Springs, MD under the leadership of Pastor Joshua Kevin White.

At her core, Eartha was a servant. No job was too large or too small.  She was devoted to lending her gifts to the Seniors ministry, Women's Ministry, and Prison Ministry. She loved spending time with her sisters in the Pearls and Tea Circle. Eartha was an avid reader, gifted seamstress, skillful gardener, and amazing cook. Just ask anyone who has tasted her macaroni and cheese!

After her sons became adults, Eartha had various jobs from manager at Hancock Fabrics, head chef at the House of Ruth, to a cook at McDonalds.  But in 2003, she realized a life-long dream of becoming a teacher when she joined the staff of Progressive Christian Academy.  She dedicated her life to pouring into the children and serving there faithfully until suffering an illness in 2009.

As one Pastor put it "she served until she couldn't serve anymore." Even through her illness, Eartha smiled, laughed, prayed, and loved on her family and friends.

Eartha's life was not without her struggles, but she lived by the scripture "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37.

Eartha transitioned to eternal life on Friday, November 2, 2018.  She leaves behind to cherish and celebrate her life: Mother, Bernice Hook (Rivers); three sons, Andre Lee (Patricia), Clifford Bernard (Donna), and Prentice Leon; a daughter-in-law, Derenda Colter; two sisters, Georgia Etta Hook and Ethel Robinson; four grandchildren, Katrice, Antoine, Keith, and Brianna; ten great grandchildren; two loving aunts, Cathleen Mack and Lillie Pearl Martin; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Viewing, 10:00 a.m. until time of service, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 10, 2018 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Interment, Heritage Memorial Cemetery, 13472 Poplar Hill Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601.