Rivers Gay Yerger Lurate peacefully passed away October 16, 2025. She was born in Jackson, April 27, 1937 and was the daughter of Wirt Adams Yerger Sr. and Rivers Applewhite Yerger.
She grew up in Belhaven with a host of friends who remained her lifelong friends. Having grown up with three older brothers, Rivers played a lot of sports, golf, tennis, basketball and swimming. She attended Central High School: Class of 1955. While in high school she enjoyed being on the girls tennis team, golf team and the Cloak and Dagger Speech Club.
Rivers attended Hollins College, Hollins, Va. where she was on the women’s basketball and golf teams. She graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson. Rivers taught history in high school for a few years until she went to work for Delta Air Lines.
At Delta Airlines, Rivers began to travel with her children. She took them on family trips as well as individual trips with each child. They had trips to England, Spain, Italy and Greece. She instilled a love of travel and opened up a new world for her children. She also loved watching her sons play baseball and football.
Rivers also had trips with her Delta friends as well as college and high school friends. She was with Delta in the Jackson, Memphis and Dallas offices. Rivers retired from the Dallas office and returned to Jackson.
In her retirement, she enjoyed her friendships in her luncheon clubs and bridge groups. She could be found “studying” for her “cut throat” bridge group as well as her social bridge group. She also loved her time with her grandchildren, watching them play sports and grow up. Rivers lived a rich and full life with her friends and family. She was loved by all and will be dearly missed. She was a member of the Debutante Club of Mississippi, Debutante Mothers Club, Junior League of Jackson, Heritage Antique Club, Tres Gai and La Soirée Luncheon Clubs.
Rivers is survived by her children, Shannon Lurate Collins (Steve), Robert Barry Lurate Jr. and Leigh Yerger Lurate (Joy). Granddaughters Rivers Collins LeGrand (Dustin), Campbell Collins Munal (Lafe), Bianca Lurate, Mallory Lurate, Lindsay Lurate, grandson William Lurate and great grandchildren, Rainey and Beckham LeGrand. Rivers was predeceased by her parents, and brothers Wirt Jr., Swan and Ivan Yerger.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Orchard, The Rose Garden and The Arbor for the care and support she received as a resident. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 20th, 2025, 10:00 a.m., at St James’ Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St James’ Episcopal Church, 3921 Oak Ridge Drive, Jackson, MS, 39216 or a charity of choice.
