Rev. Michael Joseph Rios

Reverend Michael Joseph Rios, 74, died Saturday, April 2, 2022, at his home in Oxford, MS. Visitation will be held Friday, April 8, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. in West Hall of Waller Funeral Home. The funeral will be Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 1:00 P.M. at Wellspring Community Church with Rev. Jerron Carney, Rev. Bryan Claborn, Rev. Jay Carney, Rev. Johnathan Green and Rev. Stephen Judd officiating. Burial will follow in Eastover Memorial Cemetery.

Rev. Rios was born October 4, 1947, in San Francisco, CA to the late Charles and Erma Rios. From a young age, he held a passion for sports, both on and off the field. Rev. Rios was drafted by the Dodger’s baseball team right out of high school, but ultimately decided to follow his father’s footsteps by becoming a butcher. While it brought him great joy to continue his father’s legacy, he found his true calling in God’s word and preaching the gospel. This special call on his life led him to the Stockton Christian School in Stockton, CA, where Rev. Rios realized his passion for ministering to young people. He was beloved and revered by his students and over the years always stayed connected with them through social media. A devout fan of the Giants, 49ers, Rebels and Golden State Warriors, Rev. Rios passed along his natural love of sports to his children. However, the most important thing he passed on to them was his endless love for God and desire to serve Him with his life. In addition to his parents, Rev. Rios was preceded in death by his son, Michael Joseph Rios, Jr.; his daughter, Jeanette Erma Rios; his step-son, Paul Anthony Aguirre; and his sister, Beverly McCoy.

Rev. Rios is survived by his beloved wife, Adeline Rios of Oxford, MS; his son, Rev. Nathaniel Michael Rios and his wife, Shera of Oxford, MS; his step-son, Sid Carl Aguirre and his wife, Cathy of Sacramento, CA; brothers, Charles “Chuck” Rios and Frank Rios; as well as nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Rev. Rios’ memory may be made to Wellspring Community Church, 541 Rock Springs Drive, Oxford, MS 38655, or online at http://wellspringcc.net/give by selecting ‘Rev. Michael J. Rios Memorial Fund’ from the drop-down menu.