Michael Clark Nivens, 83, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Hospice Family Care on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Born April 5, 1941, to Clayton Lynza and Eula Black Nivens in Birmingham, Alabama, Mike grew up on a small farm in Chelsea, Shelby County, Alabama. He attended Shelby County High School graduating in 1959. While in High School he played football and basketball. Mike met the love of his life during his high school years, Peggy Sue Cobb of Columbiana, Shelby County, Alabama and they were married on October 22, 1960. Upon graduation from high school, Mike enlisted in the United States Air Force serving from 1959-1963 where he was a crew chief on a KC-135 Stratotanker. After the service Mike worked several different jobs in and around Shelby County, including being a deputy sheriff of Shelby County as well as the First National Bank. Mike went to work for Cobbs, Allen & Hall, Inc. in Birmingham in the late 1960’s as a loan officer and was later promoted to Vice President. This firm later became known as Mortgage Corporation of the South. During this time Mike & Peggy had two sons Darrin Kent Nivens, born February 1, 1966, and Gregory Lynn Nivens, born June 25, 1968.
In the early 1970’s, Mike was chosen by Mortgage Corporation of the South to open up a new branch office in Huntsville, AL. Mike, along with his family, moved from Columbiana, AL to Huntsville, AL in 1972. Mike was later employed by First Federal Savings & Loan (later First American Federal Savings & Loan) as a Vice President. Mike also was employed for a short period of time by Colonial Bank after Colonial Bank purchased First American Federal Savings & Loan. He was then employed by Redstone Federal Credit Union to serve as head of their mortgage department where he worked until his retirement in 2006. After retirement, Mike & Peggy took long vacation trips, most notably Alaska & New England and enjoyed spending time together and with family.
Mike was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fox hunting with his own dogs, bass and croppie fishing with Peggy and deer, duck & turkey hunting and was a member of the Paint Rock Sportsman Association hunting club for a number of years.
Mike had a long and distinguished career of service with both the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association and the Home Builders Association of Alabama serving over 40 years. On the local level, he was awarded the position of Local Life Director after serving more than 10 consecutive years on the Board of Directors. He also served and chaired numerous committees including the Membership Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Finance Committee, Executive Committee and numerous others. He was responsible for establishing the local Associate Council. Recognized for his many years of service, Mike was inducted into the HMCBA Housing Hall of Fame and received the Associate of the Year Award on two separate occasions. He was a founding member of the Huntsville Madison County Builders Foundation and served many years on its Board. After his retirement, Mike served as the Facilities Manager for the HMCBA.
With the Home Builders Association of Alabama, Mike was a member of the Associate Council serving as its Chair in 1986 and continued to serve until his retirement. He was a member of the Past Associate Council Presidents and served as a State Director representing the HMCBA. Further, he served six years on the Alabama Home Builders Foundation. He was in the inaugural class of inductees into the HBAA Housing Hall of Fame and was awarded the HBAA Associate of the Year in 1988 and 2006. Mike was well respected among his peers and had many friends throughout the State of Alabama. He will be sorely missed by the building industry.
Mike is survived by his wife, Peggy Cobb Nivens; brother, Kerry Kent Nivens (Margaret); son, Darrin Kent Nivens (Samantha); grandchildren, Austin Clark Nivens, Clayton Brock Nivens (Kyleigh), Madison Lynn Nivens, and Jack Michael Nivens; nephew, Phillip Clark Nivens (Dayana); nieces, Christy Nivens Killen (Rob) and Adrienne Nivens Towry (Chad); and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton Lynza Nivens and Eula Black Nivens and son, Gregory Lynn Nivens.
Mike never met a stranger and was always eager to strike up a conversation or give a helping hand to anyone, anyplace at any time no matter who they were.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation honoring the life of Mike on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, 2320 Bob Wallace Avenue, SW, Huntsville, AL 35805. Mike will rest in the Alabama National Cemetery at 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, Alabama 35115.
