Joan "Carleen" Nivens

Joan "Carleen" Nivens, 88, of Belmont, NC, formerly of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Born September 26, 1936 in Charlotte, NC, she was the daughter of the late Carley R. and Edna (Thomas) Long. She married Lester Walker Nivens Jr. on February 28, 1953.

A member of Parkwood Baptist Church, Gastonia, Carleen was a former employee of Mulberry Baptist Church Day Care and Little Einsteins Preschool.

Carleen enjoyed fishing, gardening, trips to the beach, traveling with her husband, Lester, watching movies and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children, Kathy Nivens Keith and Carl "Chip" (Jean) Nivens; daughter-in-law, Karen Nivens; grandchildren, Amy (Brian) Bishop, Lesley Nivens, CJ (Claudia) Nivens, Corey (Hannah) Nivens, Rebecca (Corey) Nivens Goode, Brittany Bullion and Megan (Bruno) Valencia; great-grandchildren, Mason, Taylor, Trevor, Aubrey, Alex, Addie, Jacob, Reese, Emersyn, Maddie, Beckham and Macey; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Carleen was preceded in death by her husband Lester Walker Nivens Jr.; her son, Lester Walker Nivens III; siblings, Shirley Millimaki, Ethel Dixon, Henry Long and Buddy Long.

A visitation for Carleen will be held, Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 1:00 PM until the time of her funeral service at 2:00 PM in the chapel of McEwen Funerals & Cremations at Forest Lawn West, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC. Burial in Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Condolences may be submitted at www.forestlawnwest.com.