James Rivers Fennell

James Rivers Fennell Sr., 72, of North Charleston, SC passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016. He was born on Tuesday, August 8, 1944 in Columbia, SC, son of the late Jewell Meetze Fennell and the late Alva “Abe” Beckham Fennell. Rivers grew up in Columbia, SC, where he enjoyed American Legion baseball, swimming and tap dancing. He graduated from Dreher High School in 1962, and was a member of the “Cavaliers”. Rivers married the love of his life, Cheryl Lyn Jamison Fennell, on September 6, 1969. He spent most of his career in sales management and training. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina in 1997, walking across the stage with the same graduating class as his youngest son, Lakelan. One of his biggest joys was being involved in sports with his children when they were young. He coached youth baseball and soccer for his sons’ sports teams, volunteered as a sideline trainer, attending to injuries and videotaped the vast majority of their soccer games. Rivers loved salt water fishing, golf, drawing, classic cars, 50’s and 60’s music, World War II history and old western movies. His family and friends will remember him as a man with a tremendous sense of humor and a quick wit that left an impression on everyone who knew him. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Alva Bratton (A.B.) Fennell. Rivers will be missed by his loving wife of almost 47 years, Dr. Cheryl Jamison Fennell, of North Charleston, SC; sons: James Rivers Fennell Jr., Thomas Garrett Lakelan Fennell. grandchildren: Brook Ray Fennell and David Jamison Bayley Fennell. Brother, Richard Beckham (Frances) Fennell of Southport, NC A Memorial Service will be held at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 10:30 AM. The family will visit with friends immediately following the service at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be mailed to MUSC Foundation at MUSC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 171 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29425. Please make checks payable to MUSC Foundation, but request that contributions are designated to the Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. Neuropathology Lab. You may also donate online to https://netcommunity.musc.edu/pathology. Please select “other” under designation and type “Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. Neuropathology lab”. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com Arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, 843-722-8371.