Born in Clanton,AL in 1924 to Thomas and Ida Bates Bateman. She attended school in Clanton and Sylacauga, graduated high school from the Thorsby Institute, and then attended the University of Alabama. While working in Birmingham after WWII, she met her husband Bill Bivins, Sr. and was married in 1950. They had 2 children, moved to Tuscaloosa, then Brewton, then back to Birmingham. During this time, she volunteered as a Brownie troop leader, a Sunday School teacher, was a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, and was the founder of the local assembly of the International Order of Rainbow Girls. She was employed at the First National Bank of Brewton and then back in Birmingham, was the Cashier of Jefferson State Community College. Although she enjoyed her work, her primary concern was always that her family and everyone she loved accepted Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. She was a member of Huffman United Methodist Church.
Her husband of 60 years passed away 2 years ago, but she is survived by; daughter, Regina Bivins Freeman (Jef); son, Bill Bivins, Jr. (Carolyn); grandchildren, Joe Freeman, John Freeman (Ashley), Rebecca Freeman, Billy Bivins, III (Stephanie), and Jacob Bivins; and many nieces and nephews.
As she suffered with Alzheimer’s, in lieu of flowers, the family has set up a Fund in her memory that supports the Alzheimer’s Association. http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_tributes.asp
. Also, dealing with, Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease, The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a great option. www.blindness.org.