We announce with profound sadness the passing of Patricia Kennedy Bivens, age 78 of Fayetteville, TN. Patricia was born to the late Jack Sanford and Marjorie Brown Kennedy in her grandparent’s home on April 17, 1941, in the small community of Sandy Hook, located in Maury County, Tennessee.
Patricia was a lifelong artist and educator. She graduated from Decatur High School and earned bachelor degrees in art and biology as well as her teaching certificate from Middle Tennessee State University. She worked as an art teacher with the Huntsville City School System and was awarded Huntsville Teacher of the Year in 1998.
An avid genealogist, Patricia was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and could trace her family line in the Maury County area to the years prior to the formation of the State of Tennessee. In 1997, she authored a historical play called Mary of Maple Hill which documented the life and death of Mary Bibb, a well-known historical figure in the early history of Huntsville, Alabama. With grant support from AmSouth Bank and the Alabama Council on Arts, the play was produce by Lee Lyric Theater in Huntsville and featured over 80 actors, singers and dancers in custom-made period costumes.
Patricia was a member of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. She passed away on October 3, 2019 at Lincoln Medical Center in Fayetteville.
Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Felix Milton Bivens, Jr.; daughter, Felicia Lestine Bivens; and son, Felix Milton “Skip” Bivens III, all of Fayetteville; and brothers, Edwin Craig Kennedy and David Kennedy of Nashville. In addition to her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her brothers, Jack Sandford Kennedy, Jr. and Allan Brown Kennedy.
Visitation with the family will be from 1 PM until 4 PM on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at the Bivens Farm located at 510 Shelbyville Hwy, Fayetteville, TN. A celebration of Patricia’s life will follow at 4 PM. Burial will follow in the adjoining Bivens-Hillside Cemetery.
Higgins Funeral Home will be on site to assist with valet parking for those with mobility issues. The Bivens home is wheelchair/ADA accessible through the rear door. Please ask for assistance on arrival.
In lieu of flowers, the Bivens family requests that donations be made to the Good Citizen Award fund for the King’s Mountain Messenger Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at the following address: Kings Mountain Messenger Chapter, DAR, C/O Patricia Hopper. 21 Plada Heights Drive, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Patricia Kennedy Bivens.
