Vernon Lloyd Bivens, 74, of Rutherfordton, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

    A native of Burke County, he was the son of the late Lloyd and Carrie Zimmerman Bivens. Lloyd retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad as an operations agent with 39 years of service and was a member of Mountain Creek Baptist Church.

    Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Tamara Koone and husband Lonnie of Rutherfordton; sons, William Bivens of Forest City and Brandon Bivens of Charlotte; granddaughter Sommer Bivens of Forest City; sisters Rachel Martinat of Rutherford College and Louise Seagle and husband Norris of Rutherford College.

    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Eva Elizabeth Brackett Bivens.

    Funeral services were held at Mountain Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Charles McClure and Rev. Jessie Mills officiating.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, POB 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or Mountain Creek Baptist Church, 710 Mountain Creek Church Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.

    Online condolences at www.crowemortuary.com

    Crowe’s Mortuary is serving the Bivens family.