Rachel Hall Bivins, of Dixon, was born on January 10, 1925, at Iva, South Carolina, a daughter of Robert Curtis and Margaret May (Ragsdale) Hall, and departed this life at 4:47 a.m., on Friday, January 29, 2016, at her residence. Mrs. Bivins had attained the age of 91 years and 19 days.

Mrs. Bivins was united in marriage on November 19, 1945, at Anderson, South Carolina, to Robert Earl Bivins, and to this union, five children were born. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; one daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Don Rowden; her parents; four brothers, William Hall, George Hall, Samuel Hall, and Haskel Hall; and one sister, Beverly Lawrence.

Mrs. Bivins accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior and followed her Lord in baptism in 1950 while still living in Iva, South Carolina, and after moving to Dixon, she became a member of the Burnett Christian Church, near Dixon. She started teaching Sunday school in 1979 and was a faithful worker in that capacity as long as she was able to do so. Mrs. Bivins believed in helping others and was still active in delivering food baskets well into her 80's as part of the ministry of her church. Activities she especially enjoyed through the years included being an avid reader; flower gardening or perhaps, in later years, telling others how to do it; and doting over and caring for her family and grandchildren. Mrs. Bivins was a devoted housewife and homemaker for all her working life.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Bivins include: Two sons, Edward Bivins and wife, Gloria, of Dixon, and Gary Bivins and wife, Kathy, of Pecatonica, Illinois; two daughters, Sandra Bivins of Dixon, and Joann Deckard and husband, John, of Deepwater, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Troy Rowden and wife, Vicky, of Doolittle, Eddie Presley and wife, Sara, of York, Pennsylvania, Christina Altman and husband, Jay, of Dixon, Shelly Bivins and Chris of Springfield, Barry Driggers and wife, Tara, of Dixon, Melinda Hermansen of Rockford, Illinois, Michael Bivins of Rockford, Illinois, Stephanie Bivins of the state of Iowa, Matthew Deckard and wife, Lara, of Dixon, and Melissa Birdhead and husband, Jody, of Jber, Alaska; fifteen great-grandchildren, Jordan and Ian Presley; Krista and Kendra Altman; Katrina Driggers; Tyler, Landon, and Ella Hermansen; Wyatt, Eli, Hayden, and Beaudeu Deckard; and Celina, Dakota, and Hunter Birdhead; nephews; nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Interment will be in the West Fairview Cemetery, near Dixon, next to her beloved husband of nearly 51 years, under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the family of Mrs. Bivins to and with envelopes available at the Dixon Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes at 105 East Third Street.