Lillie Casandra Bivins (January 31, 1955 – April 06, 2019)
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith.”
A time to be born ….. Lillie Casandra McNeal Bivins was born to the late Kizer and Annie Leah (Bacon) McNeal on January 31, 1955.
A time to be educated … Casandra, also called “Stumpy,” graduated from Claxton High School. From a youth, Casandra always knew she wanted to be a nurse. Following graduation from high school she was admitted to Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia where she received her nursing degree.
A time to serve… She was baptized at an early age at The St. Luke Baptist Church in Daisy, Georgia. She served as an usher and participated in various youth activities. After marriage she joined the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and was currently under the leadership of Rev. Norman J. Edwards. Casandra was also a great cook and loved to read and review cook books for ideas and food decoration. At Mt. Olive she was a member of the Senior Ushers, Deaconess, and Culinary ministries. She was also a member of the Senior Servants Honoring in Praise (SSHIP) Choir for members 60 and above.
A time to love… Casandra met and married Mr. Victor C. Bivins on February 14, 1982. Victor gave her his own special pet name of “Shorty.” To this union, one son was born, Troy Elliott Bivins.
A time to work … Her nursing career started at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia. Later she moved to Valdosta, Georgia and was employed by South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) in the nursery for approximately 35 years. She retired in 2014.
A time to rest … On Saturday April 6, 2019 she was called home and her earthly journey was completed. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and oldest brother, Willie (Ann).
Surviving in addition to her husband, Victor, their two children, Troy (Yasmine/Mimi) Bivins, Shanema Bivins; four grandchildren, Ricquan, Chartavius, Ashton and Mackenzie; two sisters, Brenda (Ulysses) Mims, Jr., Valdosta, GA, Bonita (Ronald)Mikel, Bellville, GA, two brothers Jerry (Peggy) Harden, (Savannah, GA) and Gcoby (Louise) McNeal, Decatur, GA; two sister-in-law Jawanna McBurrough, Valdosta, GA and Ann Williams, Savannah, GA.
She was blessed to have a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends including one of over 50 years, Melinda Blitch of College Park, Georgia, along with her cooking buddies Johnnie Mae White and Regina Simpson. She held a special place in her heart for Mrs. Ella Mae Blue, Mrs. Artie B. Slone and the SGMC Nursery staff. Casandra also loved the pastor and his wife Florine and the Mt. Olive Missionary Church Family.
The Celebration of Life for the late Mrs. Lillie Casandra Bivins will be Saturday, April 13, 2019, 11:00 a.m. from the sanctuary of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 5009 GA Hwy 122 E., Hahira.
Dr. Norman Edwards is the pastor and will officiate.
Interment, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Hahira, GA.
Public viewing, Friday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Godfrey Funeral Home.Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.godfreyfuneralhome.net. Personal and professional services provided by Godfrey Funeral Home, LLC.
