Barbra Sue Nivens

Barbra Sue Nivens passed away Friday morning, March 5, 2021, at the age of 86 years. Sue was born on December 27, 1934, in Galena, Kansas, to her parents, Lee and Louise (Rohrbough) Dowty.

Sue met the love of her life, Kenneth Nivens, and they were married on June 6, 1953, in Baxter Springs, Kansas. The start of their marriage was the start of a road trip. They began living in Chicago, Illinois, for a little over 2 years and then moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for Ken to attend Oklahoma State University. In 1959, they moved to Enid, Oklahoma. While in Enid, Sue attended Phillips University and was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1969. She taught mathematics at Enid High School until her retirement in 1991. After retirement, Sue and Ken moved to Grove, Oklahoma, to live by Grand Lake, a retirement dream they shared. They lived there for 23 years until they made their last move to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2014.

Sue was actively involved at Central Christian Church while in Enid. Once they moved to Grove, she enjoyed gardening, volunteering at Lendonwood Gardens, and was a member of the Delaware County Master Gardening Club. She also enjoyed playing bridge and was an active member of several bridge groups in Grove. Sue devoted many hours volunteering as a member of the "Cherry Reds" at Integris Grove Hospital. She was the treasurer for the Cherry Reds for several years, helped run the hospital's gift shop and was the recipient of the "Cherry Red Volunteer of the Year" in 2006. Sue always enjoyed spending time with her family and she treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren.

Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Louise Dowty; brother, E.L. "Bus" Dowty; and husband, Kenneth Nivens. She leaves many loving memories with her family: son Steve Nivens and wife, Mary, and their two sons, Colin Nivens, wife, Ellen, great-grandson Mark, and Brad Nivens; son Greg Nivens and wife, Beth and their three children, daughter Kaley Pate and her husband Thomas, great-grandson Jackson, great-granddaughter Kennedy, son Brett Nivens and son Alex Nivens and his wife Samantha; son Scott Nivens; along with many other loving relatives and a host of friends.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt's Tulsa Funeral Service & Cremation Care, 5757 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK 74145. Family and friends may leave kind words of comfort, special memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com