Iris Helen Ginn Bivens, 89, of Vanceburg, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2024, at SOMC Hospice Center in Portsmouth, Ohio. Her family was at her side.
Iris was born in Lewis County on February 14, 1935, a daughter of the late Thomas Fred and Ada Esther Brown Ginn. She worked for US Shoe Corporation for 10 years and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Shawnee State University. Iris was a teacher’s aide for the Lewis County Central Grandparents Program. She loved to quilt, sew, and crochet, along with working crossword puzzles. Iris loved growing a garden and canning. She was of the Christian faith. Most of all she was very instrumental in tutoring her grandchildren with their school work.
Left to cherish her memories are three daughters, Edna Blevins and Lou (Wes) Carter of Garrison, and Susie (John) Penrod of Tollesboro; 10 sons, Mike (Gloria) Bivens and Mark Bivens of Vanceburg, Ronald (Josephine) Bivens of Columbus, Ohio, David (Amy) Bivens of Foxboro, Massachusetts, Roger (Amy) Bivens of Burlington, North Carolina, Jerry (Marcia) Bivens of Portsmouth, Ohio, Pete (Cathy) Bivens, Keith (Tracy) Bivens, and Robert (Tammy) Bivens of Garrison, and John (Stella) Bivens of Tollesboro; a sister, Margaret Brock of Norman, Oklahoma; 41 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Many other relatives and friends also survive who will mourn her passing.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Alex A. Bivens in 1983; a son, Donald Bivens; two sisters, Glendora Ramsey and Julia Ginn; seven brothers, Floyd Buck Ginn Sr., Ronald Ginn, Curtis Ginn, Sherman Ginn, Herbert Ginn, Curtis Ginn, and Fred (Shorty) Ginn; two granddaughters, Mary Ann Bivens and Kaleigh Bivens; and a grandson, Mikey Bivens.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Gaydos Funeral Home, 159 Second Street in Vanceburg, with Bro. Tim Underwood officiating. Burial will follow in Waring Cemetery at Garrison.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 7, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Gaydos Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Danny Carter, Eric Carter, Jason Bivens, Chris Schroeder, and Scott Dummitt.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gaydosfh.com.
