Kathryn H. Bivens-Faidley

KATHRYN H. BIVENS-FAIDLEY, was the daughter of the late James H. and Cassie Wilson Perry. She was the twin of James W. Perry, born on July 26, 1923 in Suffolk, Virginia. She took her steps into eternity on July 23, 2011. Kathryn’s early education was in Suffolk, Virginia. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School where both, she and her brother, James, were famed athletes. While in high school her love was basketball, glee club and choir activities. Kathryn was baptized and accepted Christ at sixteen years of age at First Baptist church in Suffolk. She came to Baltimore, Maryland in 1943 and initially worked at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She later worked for Stewart’s department Store where she ultimately worked for over twenty-five years as a cosmetics representative. Kathryn was a life long member of Faith Baptist Church for over sixty years. She was a member of the Gospel Choir and its President for four years. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school, participating in the Baptist Training Union and other church activities, which brought her great joy. Having a vey outgoing personality, Kathryn cherished laughing, joking, and enjoying social moments with family and friends. She loved hats and was always fashionable. Enjoying traveling with her girlfriends, she ventured to Hawaii, the Caribbean and various states in the USA. Her most important life long interest was seeing people give their life to Jesus Christ. In fact, through God’s everlasting grace, Kathryn’s life was extended twenty-seven years after receiving heart surgery in 1984. George Shelton Bivens, whom she was married to for over thirty-five years preceded Kathryn in death. Kathryn had a second chance at love and on June 10, 1995 married John Faidley, Faith Baptist Church’s organist. John later preceded her in death in July of 2002. James W. Perry and Esther Perry, two of her three siblings also preceded her in death. To celebrate her homecoming and rejoice in her memory are: her eldest sister, Mary Francis Smith; sister-in-law, Evelyn Perry; her nieces, Connie Perry Simon and Esther Smith Dues; her nephews, Tony Perry, Carl Smith and Melvin Smith; cousin, Pearl Wilson Flowers; many great-nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Always at her side, her nephew and his wife, Dr. Larry and Inez Perry.

Tributes

Kathryn H. Bivens-Faidley

July 26, 1923 - July 22, 2011