Hortense Allen Bivins' Obituary
Hortense Allen Bivins
Funeral Services for Hortense Allen Bivins, 89, of Longview will be held at 10 AM Monday, October 28, 2002 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview, 1617 Judson Road, with Ritchie Hamm and Steve Horton officiating. Burial will follow at 3 PM at Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce.
She was born December 28, 1913 in Leonard, Texas to Albert and Effie Allen. She passed away on Wednesday morning, October 23, 2002.
She had been a Longview resident since 1947, for many of those years, Mrs. Bivins taught English for the Pine Tree Independent School District. She was also a member of the Pine Tree Church of Christ.
From the perspective of students in the ?60?s Mrs. Bivins was an icon and probably the best English teacher Pine Tree High School may have ever had. Students who didn?t care for high school English found themselves loving her class. Those who knew little grammar on entering the class knew a lot when they were finished. Many easily placed out of freshman college English because they had already learned it from her. Most all of her students still use the skills she taught them, on their jobs today and in everyday life.
Without demanding it, she expected her students to do the best they could do, and they never considered doing less. Students who misbehaved in other teachers? classes wouldn?t dare do anything wrong in hers. They knew years before they reached her class that she commanded respect, without her ever having to remind anybody.
Many agree she was the best teacher they ever had, a true lady and a special friend. Many classes invited her to their class reunions years later.
Students from the 50?s thanked her in her 1950 yearbook for inspiring them to do their best. Many wrote they loved and admired her and that she made their days at school a wonderful experience.
Many who took her Spanish class their freshman year wrote they were looking forward to her being their teacher the next three years. One student summed it up by writing "You have been the greatest influence on me and other seniors than anyone ever has."
Anyone who ever had Mrs. Bivins will never forget her. Even in death she?ll always be, in the minds of her students, the happy, smiling, enthusiastic teacher they always knew.
Mrs. Bivins was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by a host of many friends.
Those unable to attend may sign an online memorial book at www.raderfh.com in the obituary section.
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