Marjorie Etoile Harrison Bivins' Obituary
Marjorie Etoile Harrison Bivins was born on August 8, 1927 in Longview, Texas to Winnie Douthit Hamilton Harrison and John Womack Harrison, and died on April 12, 2024 in Longview after a wonderful life of more than 96 years.
Marjorie grew up at 316 South Fredonia in the home where she was born, attended Longview public schools, and graduated from Longview High School in 1944 where she had been crowned Queen of Longview High School for that year. She studied piano for 13 years and performed many recitals at the Longview Community Center. As a college freshman, she attended Kilgore Junior College where her father was a geology professor, and continued her education at Southern Methodist University, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and a teaching certificate. While at SMU, she was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
After graduating from SMU, Marjorie returned to her childhood home in Longview and taught second grade at South Ward Elementary School. In 1951 she married Jim Bivins and they soon began their family, welcoming son Craig in 1953 and daughter Louise in 1955.
Marjorie was baptized and became a member of First Baptist Church of Longview, and later joined First United Methodist Church where she was an active member, regularly attending Sunday School and church services for the remainder of her life. She was a member of Junior League of Longview, Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association, Green Thumb Garden Club, Junior Literary Club, Heritage Bible Club, Henry Foster Sunday School Class, Cherokee Club, Pinecrest Country Club, Summit Club, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, and was eligible for membership in Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and Colonial Dames. Marjorie and some of her close friends formed a bridge club in 1951, and they remained dedicated to playing bridge each month until 2020.
Marjorie is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Maurice Bivins; her son, Craig Harrison Bivins; her sisters, Katherine Love Harrison Campbell and Ann Louise Harrison Murphy; and her brother, John Womack Harrison, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Louise Durham Bivins, and by several nieces and nephews.
Thanks and gratitude go to all who so lovingly cared for her this past year, especially during her recent illness.
A time of visitation will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. A graveside service at Memory Park Cemetery will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024. A memorial service and celebration of Marjorie's life will be held at First United Methodist Church, Longview, Texas at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Following the memorial service, a reception will be held at the Summit Club, 3700 Judson Road.
Contributions in Marjorie's memory may be made to Asbury House; 320 South Center Street; Longview, Texas 75601; Gregg County Historical Museum; 214 North Fredonia Street; Longview, Texas 75601; or to a charity of your choice.
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