Laura Denise Rivas

Laura Denise Rivas, age 72 of Lenorah passed away on Monday, July 15, 2024. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Gilbreath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Stanton. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

Denise was born February 23, 1952 in Decatur, Alabama to Charles and Stena Mae Mitchell and married Albert Rivas on July 24, 1970 in Lenorah, Texas.

Together, she and Albert raised four children and became pillars of the Lenorah community.  She worked as the cafeteria manager at Grady ISD as a young woman, and eventually opened her own business, Denise’s Kwik Stop. She was known by all who met her as a sweet soul and always had a smile and kind word for everyone. She lived a life of selfless devotion to her husband, her community, her children, her grandchildren, her friends, and most importantly God. Family is what brought her the most joy, and she loved them with a tender, unconditional love that showed in everything she did.

She was always up for an adventure, and loved all things bright, bold, and colorful, from the many flowers that she grew to her gemstone collection. She herself was the brightest jewel of all!

She is survived by her four children Jason (Shey) Rivas, Shawn (Jolynn) Rivas, and Sheree Woodward of Stanton, Texas, and Brent Rivas of Lubbock, Texas, grandchildren include Zackery and Tristen Johnson, Brooklen Rivas, Madison and Tristan Graves, Dustin and Jett Rivas, and Buck and Daniel Woodward.  She is also survived by her sister Michelle (Ralph) Howell of Glen Cove, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews, and loving friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Stena Mitchell and her husband Albert Rivas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com

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