Leona Faye Rivera, age 67, of Dixon, was born on December 9, 1954, in the state of California, a daughter of James Harlan and Ruby Lucille (Jett) Acord, and departed this life on, May 4, 2022, at her residence near Dixon.

Leona accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and followed Him in baptism early in life.  At the time of her passing she was a member of the Victory Hill Baptist Church, Dixon, where she served as the church secretary, the song leader, and was an active member of the women's group of the church.  During her working life, she had been employed by the Miller County Nursing Home for over 15 years, and the Dollar General, Vienna for 20 plus years until her passing.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed being with her family.

Those left to mourn the passing of Leona include: Her children, Amy Brinkley (Bill), Dixon; Devlin Rivera and Derek Rivera both of Vienna; and Morgan Sinden, Packxton, Illinois; grandchildren, Emma Brinkley, Gavin Rivera, Seth Rivera, Michael Weimer, Madison Backues, and Jayden Backues, Brooke Sinden, Bill Brinkley, Jr., and Darrell Brinkley; 4 great-grandchildren; siblings, Dennis Acord (Judy), Jefferson City; Robert Acord (Suzanne), Hartman, Arkansas; Carol Blackard, Clarksville, Arkansas; and Rebecca "Becky" Bowser (Brian), Dixon; brother-in-law, Charlie McKinnon, Dixon, and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, James, on December 11, 1988; her mother, Ruby, on July 24, 2017; one brother, Kenneth Virgil "Kenny" Acord, on July 31, 2004; one sister, Loretta Gayle "Lucy" McKinnon, on February 27, 2020; one sister-in-law, Wanda Catheryn "Cathy" Acord, on December 12, 2016; and two nephews, Brian Acord and Jason Acord.

Visitation for Mrs. Leona Rivera will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022, with funeral services following at 11 a.m., all in the Victory Hill Baptist Church, 40658 Highway DD, Dixon, Missouri 65459, with Bro. Dennis Nichols officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Dixon.

Fond and precious memories of Leona will always be in the hearts of her dear family and all who knew and loved her.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Leona Rivera are suggested by her family to the Victory Hill Baptist Church, near Dixon, with envelopes available at the church or  in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri 65582.