Otis Ray Bivens

OTIS RAY BIVENS, age 77 of Sweetwater, Tenn. passed away Friday, July 13, 2018, at his residence. He was a native of McMinn County, Tenn.,  resident of Monroe County, Tenn. since 1974, and a son of the late John and Macy Winters Bivens. He was a member of the Sweetwater Masonic Lodge. His first job was in 1955 at the Kreme Kup and later moved to Massachusetts.  He worked for BF Goodrich and Armor Way nursery. He returned to Tennessee and became co-owner of Athens Safety Center. He bought his farm in 1974 and drove a school bus for McMinn County for 34 years, and is still loved by all his school kids. After retiring, he started Reagan Station Flea Market and enjoyed many happy years with his friends and his three girls. He enjoyed his farm, had an unbelievable love for animals, was a funny story teller, loved yard sales, fishing and trading. His wife and children were the most important part of his life.

Survivors:

• His wife of 56 years: Kay Smith Bivens of Sweetwater, Tenn.,
• Two  Sons and Daughter-in-law: Otis (Doodle) Jr. and Cinda Bivens of Sweetwater, Tenn., Greg Bivens of Sweetwater, Tenn.,
• Two Daughters and Sons-in-law: Regina and Richard Buchanan of Sweetwater, Tenn., Katrina and Jeremy Smith of Sweetwater, Tenn.
• Multiple grandchildren,
• Sister: Ruth Warner of Athens, Tenn. 
• Brother and sisters-in-law: Glen and Nora Smith, Kathleen Vaughn, Karen and Jerry Haney,
• Special Nephew: Charles Arthur Hitson 
• Several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 7:00 P.M. Monday, July 16, 2018 in the Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Red Wilson and Rev. Lynn King.

Interment will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be Jeremy Smith, Richard Buchanan, Duke Hyatt, Chris Hickman, Dustin Cox, and Rusty Vineyard. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Stair, Jerry Haney and Luke Cox.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 Monday in the funeral home.

Those unable to attend may send condolences at www.laycock-hobbs.com/notices/Otis-Bivens

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn. in charge of arrangements.