Lillie Shuford Bivins

Born on July 31st, 1938 in Montgomery, Alabama to the late Rodell Shuford, Sr. and Ruth Ballard Shuford, she was educated in Lutheran schools and was eventually baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church where she later became an active member of the church. She graduated from Alabama State Laboratory High School and continued her studies at Alabama State College where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in May of 1966. She was married, at that time, to her late husband, Felton Lee Bivins, Jr., who was from Macon, Georgia, but they resided in Montgomery. They were married in December of 1957. Their union was blessed with two daughters.

Lillie worked as a beautician for several years before obtaining her first degree. She furthered her education and obtained a Master of Education in August of 1979. The Alabama State College was then renamed Alabama State University. She also studied at Troy University Montgomery. She accepted a position with Dallas County Board of Education in Selma, Alabama. She devoted thirty-three years of service to instructing hundreds of children in the public schools of Dallas County. She retired in August of 1998. Her love for children and teaching continued. She then pursued a substitute teaching position at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School where she faithfully substituted from 1998 until 2018.

Lillie loved being with people. She was an active member at Messiah Lutheran Church where she participated in quilting. Lillie was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Beta Nu Omega Chapter where she was actively involved in the sorority affairs prior to her failing health. She was a member of Ada Assembly #19 Order of the Golden Circle PHA, Valley of Montgomery, Orient of Alabama. Loyal Lady Bivins was a Past Loyal Lady Ruler of Ada Assembly #19 and a past Queen of the Grand Assembly of Alabama. She served on various committees both locally and on the Grand Level. Lillie was faithful to these organizations. She was also a duly commissioned Notary Public for The State At Large.

She was predeceased by her husband, parents, brother, Rodell Shuford, Jr. and sister, Annie Ruth. She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Deborah Bivins of Northport, AL and Sandra Bivins-Tutt (Willie) of Montgomery, AL. A devoted sister-in-law, Veliria Shuford of Jacksonville, FL, who always checked on her and us; a niece, Michelle Shuford Jones of Savannah, GA and nephew, Larry D. Shuford of Jacksonville, FL, who made themselves available to us at anytime; a grandson, Willie Edward “Chip” Tutt II (Derrinique) of Montgomery; one great grandson, Isaiah Edward Tutt and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

The family would like to give special thanks to Clifton Young, Felicia Young Felder, Frozenia Hall, Rosie Byrdson, Edith Washington, Joel Bolen, MD, Geriatric Associates of Montgomery PC and his staff, Haynes Ambulance of Macon County, Whitney Norman, caregiver, John Knox Manor @ Home, LLC, caregiver LaDawna Langer, Jackson Hospital, Teresa Livingston, caregiver, Amedisys Home Health Care and Hospice, the Woodcrest Estates Family, Alabama Department of Public Health, Messiah Lutheran Church and University Lutheran Church.

A visitation for Lillie will be held Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at White Chapel-Greenwood Funeral Home, 909 Lincoln Road, Montgomery, AL 36109. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at White Chapel-Greenwood Funeral Home.