Grace Elizabeth Bivins

Bivins, Grace Elizabeth (Age 82) of Washington, D.C.

Grace Elizabeth Bivins was the ninth of twelve children born to the late Archie and Ella Gray on December 27, 1943, in McConchie, Maryland. She departed this life on July 13, 2026 after a brief illness. Grace was educated in the Maryland and DC public school systems. She married the late John Bivins "Johnny-Boy" in 1978. Together they raised six children and shared over 60 years of good times. Grace was a beloved caregiver of many children (family, friends and neighbors). Not sure there’s anyone whom she didn’t welcome, with open arms, into her home. Her love for hair styling meant that she often had someone special in a chair in the kitchen - curling, weaving and creating black girl magic. She worked at Shelton’s Hair Gallery in Washington, DC for more than 50 years.

Grace was outgoing and her favorite pastime was playing cards, especially with her daughter, Needy, nieces Debbie and Sandra Bivins, Tyson and Kim Bransome, Laverne Lee, and her best friend Gloria Jefferson. She also enjoyed travelling. Some of her best times were had on a family trip in Las Vegas or on a cruise ship, but her favorite destination was Florida. Grace loved Christmas and she was well known for her extensive decorations. Memories of her crystal trinkets and vast Christmas village will live on in our hearts and minds. She even had a family cemetery in her village to remember her loved ones. Her favorite team to cheer on to victory was the Dallas Cowboys. She loved them so much that she demanded everyone wear her team colors today – even if some would be under duress.

In addition to her parents, Grace was preceded in death by her grandson Donte Arrington; siblings Veronica (Pete) Blair, Betty Johnson, Shirley Gray, Tillie Lee, Lorraine Boyce, Richard (Dickie), Austin (Bunny) and James (Jimmy) Gray; Brothers-in-Law Blaine Blair, John Shorter, John Brawner, Joseph Thomas, and Leon Boyce; Sisters-in-Law Martha (Honey) Thomas and Mildred (Kitty) Gray; and Goddaughter Latoya Marbury.

She leaves to fondly cherish her memory, her children Karen (Needy), Denise, and George (Bug) Gray, John (Boo) and Sonya Bivins, Sandra (Reese) and Stanley Burns, and Terri (Penny) Shorter; Grandkids Lamont, Tasha, Stephan, Kiara, Davon, Daquan, Danesha, Jontea, Dallas, and Kayliya; Great grandkids Monte, Germany, Gevah, Trenity, Jayden, Jaylin, Lamont Jr., Angel, Josiah, Rahkei, Malcolm, Kailyn, Malik, Major, Sydney, Camren, King, Skylar, and Amora; Great-great grandkids Mahki and MaKari; Siblings John (Sonny) and Irma (Chick) Gray, Ruth and Chester Gross, Joann Jamieson, and Leonard and Octavia Gray; Brothers-in-Law Robert Johnson and Roger Lee; Sister-in-Law Delores Brawner; Godchildren Richard Lee, Shirley Douglas, and Shakia Day. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, neighbors and friends will also cherish their memories of Grace Elizabeth Bivins.

Her viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 10:00am until time of service 11:00am in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640. Interment Maryland National Park Cemetery, 13300 Baltimore Avenue, Laurel, Maryland 20707.

On the day of service a link will be placed for the live stream.