Kandyce Nicole (Smith) Rives, was born on December 28, 1990, to Timberley and Nathaniel Smith. Kandyce grew up in Petersburg, VA where she attended public school. She participated in cheerleading throughout her elementary school years, earning several awards and certificates.  Kandyce was an excellent student and consistently stayed on the academic honor roll.  After graduating from Petersburg High School in 2009, she attended Virginia State University, majoring in Sociology, earning her Bachelor's degree in 2013, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

After college, Kandyce started a small business operating a group home for individuals affected by mental illness.  In recent years, Kandyce worked as a lead teacher at Sprout School RVA, pouring a wealth of knowledge into the minds of her young students.  A devoted mother and a dedicated educator, Kandyce had a remarkable ability to care for everyone around her.

Kandyce loved vintage clothing. She had a sharp eye for fashion and was a true fashionista! She loved being comfy in her clothes and opted for stylish yet comfy pieces. Kandyce enjoyed watching true crime documentaries; but, she also loved romantic movies on the Hallmark channel. Kandyce's favorite foods included baked salmon, tacos, and to drink, kombucha.

Kandyce also loved animals, and her favorites were elephants and giraffes. However, Kandyce also shared her love and warmth by spending time with family.  She shared a special bond with her cousin, Alicia.  A connection they fondly referred to as "best sisters" ever since they were little girls.  The pair enjoyed countless laughs, spending summers together and having fun.  It was triple the fun whenever their cousin Arlyssa would join them.  Her kindness, humor, and strength will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

On May 7, 2026, Kandyce answered her Heavenly Father's call to return home following a sudden and brief hospitalization.  Kandyce was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Annie M. Smith and Gloria E. Jackson; and her brother, DaRon Graves. She is survived by her husband, De'Angelo Rives; her beloved daughters, Sayoni, Kennedy, and Ryann Rives; and her baby son, Beau Alexander Watts.

Kandyce also leaves to cherish her memory, her mother, Timberley Smith; father, Nathaniel Smith (Michelle); and her siblings, Darryl Graves, Tyshear and Tatiana Smith; her brother-in-law, Tovarus Rives; her sisters-in-law, Sherina and Kendral Rives; her dear cousins, Alicia Terry and Arlyssa Jackson; her niece, Ke'Aundra Graves; a close friend, Bratavious Watts; and a host of family and friends.

Services will be held 3:00 P.M., Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Ulysses S. Payne, eulogist. The interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5965789?fl=so&fe=fs