Elsie Buff Bivens

Elsie Buff Bivens, 91, of Camelia Garden St. in Morganton, and formerly of Campus St. in Rutherford College, died Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at Burke Long Term Care following a period of declining health. She was born August 11, 1918 in Cleveland County, and was a daughter of the late Frank Buff and Mittie Sain Buff. Elsie worked at Jaquard Mills in Morganton, and several other local textile mills. She also worked in the kitchen at the Old Rock School.She is survived by children, Frances Flynn and husband, Bobby of Covina, CA, Lucille Massie and husband, Johnny of Rocky Mount, NC, Maxine Robinson of Huntersville, NC, and Gary Bivens and wife, Marjorie of Morganton; a sister-in-law, Veola Crawley, of Mt. Holly, NC; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Lee Bivens; a daughter, Carolyn Williford; brothers, Marshall, Marvin, Willard, Dewey, and John; and sisters, Ella and Jettie; and a son-in-law, Tim.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2009 at Mull’s Grove Baptist Church with the Reverends Allan Barlow and Bud Jernigan officiating. Entombment will follow in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. at the church. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690, or to Mull’s Grove Baptist Church, 5106 Burkemont Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.