Sandra Christine Bivens Raper

Sandra Christine Bivens Raper, a lifelong resident of Madisonville, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2014, at a Knoxville hospital.

Preceded in death by: her parents, George and Novell Bivens; paternal grandparents, Walter and Matilda Bivens; and maternal grandparents, W.P. and Trifene Williams.

Survivors include: her son, Jeffery M. Raper of Greenback; Granddaughter, Haley N. Raper Ivens of Madisonville; Sister, Charlotte B. (Cookie) Dawson of Chattanooga; Niece, Dava C. Ford, and great-niece, Lili C. Ford, both of Chattanooga; Aunts and uncles, Louise Williams Bradley of Lake Placid, Fla., Zula Williams Scott of Richmond, Ind., Una Vee Williams Dargie of Titusville, Fla., Faye Williams Clevenger of Detroit, Mich., Wilma Pearl Williams Kirkland of Madisonville, Faye Bivens Bright of Madisonville, and Uncle Willis (Vera) Bivens. Numerous Bivens and Williams cousins.

The family wants to thank special cousins Dee Harrill of Madisonville, Peggy Williams Cagle of Georgia, Marilyn Scott DeWitt of Richmond, Ind. and Zelda Jane Allen Jaffee of Detroit, Mich., who cheered her through her long illness with visits and phone calls. Thanks to her special friend, Nina Martin, who shared this long walk with her.

The family would also like to thank East Tennessee Health Care in Madisonville for their loving care during the last year.

A graveside service and interment will be held on Friday, July 18, 2014, at 7 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Cemetery in Madisonville.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association would be appreciated. Arrangements by Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville