Lillian Faye Bivens, 98 of Hinton passed away Wednesday April 1, 2020 at Main Street Care in Hinton following a long illness.

Born January 19, 1922 in Hinton, she was the daughter of the late Stapleton Arthur and Sadie Tyree Sowers.

Mrs. Bivens was a 1940 graduate of Hinton High School.  She was the society editor for the Hinton Daily News and later published a book, Lillian Laughs , which is a collection of articles she wrote for the newspaper.  She was also employed as a correspondent for the Beckley Post Herald, a teacher aid for  Summers County Schools and a clerk for the Hinton Sanitary Board.  She spent many years as a member of the Summers County Republican Executive Committee.  She was a life-long member of the First Baptist Church and at the time of her death, she was the oldest member.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Masten Harvey Bivens, Jr.; one brother, Benson Sowers and three sisters, Gladys Harper, Lois Crawford and Ruth Sowers.

Left to cherish her memory is one son, Robert Bivens (Kristen) of Roanoke, VA; three daughters, Sharon Milburn (David) of Forest Hill, Vicki Hinerman (Ted) of True and Betty Lou Reed (David) of Athens; Seven grandchildren, Wendy Houchins (Josh), Brian Milburn (Shelley), Kristin Richmond (Justin), Megan Meadows (Joey), Michael Reed, Tanner Bivens and Kendall Jones (Ryan); nine great grandchildren, Camden, Lane and Reece Houchins, Beyonka and Kaine Meadows, Aleena and Lilleigh Reed and Jace and Sadie Richmond; and one nephew, Joe Sowers.

Private funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday April 4, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Hinton with Pastor Ronnie Cobb officiating. Burial will follow in Hilltop Cemetery in Hinton. Visitation for family will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon's International, PO Box 713, Beckley, WV 25802.