Evelyn Gloria Bivens, 78, died Sept. 19, 2009 at Infirmary West in Mobile. She was a native and resident of Deer Park. A member of the New Light Missionary Baptist Church of Deer Park, she served on the Mother’s Board, was a deaconess and choir member.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Dorothy Lee and Henry Baxter Land; one brother, Andrew Baxter; and sister, Irene McDonald.

Survivors include her devoted husband, Floyd Bivens of Deer Park; two sons, Michael Bivens and Norman (Dorothy) Bivens, both of Citronelle; eight daughters, Debra (Don) Dixon of Bigbee, Shelia Bivens, Agnes A. Grimes, Josephine (Lawrence) Clay, Cynthia Bivens, all of Deer Park, Chervander (Clifford) McCarthy of Moss Point, Miss., Sonya (Samuel) Traylor of Chatom and Latasha (Demetrius) Taylor of Vinegar Bend; two brothers, Leon (Susie) Johnson of Tensaw and Roscoe (Willie Ruth) McDonald of Moss Point, Miss.; five sisters, Louise (Edward) Hill and Joyce (Albert) Hill, both of Deer Park, Lettie Mae Abston of Chatom, Margie (Robert) Lynom of Pascagoula, Miss. and Madelind Gonzalez of Citronelle; 29 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 26, 12 noon at New Light Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee Arthur Taylor, pastor and eulogist. Viewing will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour and following the eulogy. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Following the interment, directed by Andrews Funeral Home of Jackson, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church.