Maude Bivins, 92, of Franklin died peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Maude was a gracious, devoted and loving friend to everyone whom she met. Thrifty and intelligent, she was an educator and mentor to her students at Franklin High School and to generations of young people who came to know her. She was a skilled seamstress, excellent cook, lover of flowers and birds, and careful custodian of family history—her own, and that of her lifelong friend, Jinny Jones.

Born in Saxapahaw, NC, Maude was the daughter of the late Braxton Bivins and Onie Thompson Bivins. Dear cousins John Thompson and Gene Thompson Felton, as well as first cousins, Henry Thompson, Sam Thompson, Mary Thompson Norwood and Alice Thompson Hadley and a multitude of other cousins in the piedmont area of North Carolina, survive.

Maude was a member of First United Methodist Church in Franklin and the "FHS Breakfast Bunch" a gathering of retired schoolteachers who met faithfully on Friday mornings at the Sunset Restaurant for years. Wilma Corbin, Myra Waldroop, Jean Welch, Dickie Deaton, Betty Coin, and Connie Campbell are among those who shared special bonds and breakfast with Maude.

Maude was a source of encouragement to, and was encouraged by, the Contino and Conner families, and the Jones/Caffrey families, among many others who shared letters and visits over the years. Maude had a fine sense of humor and was fiercely determined.

Maude was blessed in her final years by the patient, tender and loving care provided by many people, but most especially Bobbie Contino, Cheryl DeForest, Elaine Lyons and Lisa Lyons Bennett, Ericka Brogden, and Phil Contino.

A Celebration of life will be held at 2 pm, Sunday, June 30, at First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Laura M. Jones Scholarship Fund at Franklin First United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences can be made to www.maconfuneralhome.com