Mary Alice (Rankins) Bivins

Mary Alice Rankins Bivins

Mary Alice Rankins Bivins was born in Monroe County, AL, on August 27, 1945. She was one of several children born to the union of Herndon and Hilma Rankins. Mary was a gentle spirit who loved the Lord. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior and served Him throughout her lifetime. She was a member of the Bethany Missionary Baptist Church in Burnt Corn, AL, under the Pastoral leadership of Rev. John O. Malone. She was an active Matron and member until her health began to fail, making it difficult for her to attend church.

Mrs.Bivins was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and devoted sister and aunt. She helped provide for her family through honest means. She worked as a Domestic Worker and, for many years, as a Sewing Machine Operator at Vanity Fair Mills. She completed her college credits and became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Her gift of care and patience, made her job at Englewood Nursing Home so fulfilling.  It meant so much to her to be able to provide help to others and she did so without expectation of anything in return. In her free time, she would visit the clients on the halls and play Bingo or polish their nails. Mary enjoyed the simplicities of life; an ice cold Coca-Cola, family and good friends brought her the most joy.

In the afternoon hours of Saturday, September 29, 2018, God saw that His Servant on earth was needed in Heaven. He gently whispered for her to leave behind her sickness and earthly woes, and find her rest at the feet of her God. She was preceded in death by her parents.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband: Larry Bivins of Monroeville, AL; two sons: Kevin (Chandra) Garnetto of Pensacola, FL, Daniel (Tiffany) Grace of Frisco City, AL; one daughter: Tonya Garnetto of Pensacola, FL; two step daughters: Jennifer Bivins of Evergreen, Al; and Priscilla Bivins of Pensacola, FL; one step-son: Larry (Amanda) Bivins of Frisco City, AL; three brothers: Willie Rankins of Mexia, AL, Frank Rankins of Lawton, OK, and Walter (Maggie ) Rankins of Peterman, AL; one sister: Linda Bivins of Monroeville, AL; thirteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other loved relatives and many friends.