Naomi Bivens, of Bradenton passed away Wednesday May 23, 2018. She was born April 23, 1923 in Bradenton Florida.
Naomi Williams Bivens was born April 23, 1923 in Bradenton, Florida. She was the youngest of four children born to the late Cleveland and Bessie Williams. She was precede in death by her brother Carl Williams, Frances Dixon, and Irma Allen.
Naomi attended elementary school, where she later became a school teacher at the same school. She was taught to play the piano by her father’s sister, Eatha Williams Howard. She later used her skills, playing for the Saint Stephen AME church choir. After graduating from high school, Naomi graduated from Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University (FAMU) with a degree in Home Economics and Early Childhood Education. After graduation from college, Naomi taught in Kissimmee for 3 years before moving to Bradenton where she taught for 42 years.
Naomi met her husband Joseph Bivens, while she was in college. They fell in love and were married September 21, 1947. To this union, three children were born, Chandra Renee, Joseph Kurt and Bridgette Michelle. They were married for 29 years before Naomi’s loving husband, Joseph, preceded her in death on April 6, 1977.
Naomi was baptized at Saint Stephen AME church, where her grandfather, Juneous Adams was one of the founding members. Her love for God and her church fueled her commitment and dedication to Saint Stephen. After her retirement, she taught Sunday school, she was a missionary, she helped to organize programs for youth and adults.
Naomi’s community service included East Manatee Women’s Club, Royal Sara Mana club, Manatee Education Association, Retired Teachers Association, and numerous community activities. Naomi assisted her daughters at every opportunity. She was an honorary AmeriCorps Vista volunteer, American Red Cross volunteer, Keep Manatee Beautiful sponsor and a volunteer for the Democratic Party election committee. She also assisted in teaching healthy cooking classes to Food Stamp clients.
Naomi will be remembered as a loving Mother, unselfish grandmother, a phenomenal great-grandmother and a caring aunt to all her nieces and nephews. Naomi loved life and life loved Naomi. She will be greatly missed, however, her work will continue by those she has trained to carry on.
She is survived by her daughters, Chandra Bivens Carty(Darryl), Bridgette Bivens Halliburton(Sherod), and son Joseph Kurt Bivens; granddaughters, Nikisha Carty(Marco), Amy Carty Schroeder(Terry), Dana Bivens, Kari Bivens and grandson, Matthew Bivens(Sarah); great-granddaughters, Brylee Schroeder, Madeline Schroeder, Laura Kalberg, and Maya Bivens; and great-grandson Noah Carty Schroeder; nieces, Elizabeth Collins, Bessie Bonner, Eleanor Williams, nephews, Billy Mitchell, Robert Allen, Richard Allen, cousin Lavonia Walthour, best friend Katherine Jones and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins and a community friends.
Visitation will be held Friday June 1, 2018 from 5 to 9pm at The Manasota Funeral Home 1221 53rd Ave E, Bradenton Florida. Funeral Service on Saturday June 2, 2018, at 2pm St. Stephens AME Church 629 Martin Luther King Ave E Bradenton Florida. Burial will follow at The Manasota Memorial Park.
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