Page 10 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Summer 2020- Online Magazine
P. 10
Polk. Oversight for construction
of the magnificent three-story
residence was left to Mary, as
Lee was often away on business.
This home was later gifted to
the City of Amarillo and became
the Mary E. Bivins Memorial
Library.
Over the years, Mary often
turned her attention beyond
her family to needs within
the greater community. She
provided furnished houses for
needy families and support
for a wide range of public The Mary E. Bivins Foundation
charities, including the Amarillo has continued the vision and
Tuberculosis Association, the legacy of this special woman,
School Children's Relief Fund, striving to improve and enrich
and the American Red Cross. the quality of life of individuals
Mary donated building sites living in the 26 counties of the
for the Maverick Club, the West Texas Panhandle by meeting
Amarillo Christian Church, and their physical, mental, social,
the VFW headquarters. and spiritual needs. In 1965, the
Foundation made possible the
Mary’s most far-reaching Bivins Center for Rehabilitation
philanthropy was creating the at High Plains Baptist Hospital
Mary E. Bivins Foundation in (now BSA) and played a key
1949 to sponsor medical and role in the development of the
social programs for the elderly Amarillo Medical Center. The
in need. Betty Teel, wife of Bivins Memorial Nursing Home
grandson Lee T. Bivins, noted opened in 1968 to care for those
that Mary “wouldn’t spend needing skilled nursing care.
any money because she had Bivins Village I and II opened
to save every drop of it for in 2002 and 2006 to provide
her foundation. She couldn’t beautiful, affordable housing
buy anything. It might rob her apartments for seniors aged 62
foundation.” Before her death and above. Childers Place (now
in 1951, Mary was able to see Bivins Pointe) and the Elizabeth
the first fruits of her Foundation Jane Bivins Culinary Center were
through the construction of the constructed in 2006 to provide
Elizabeth Jane Bivins Home for additional long-term care, rehab
the Aged. The home was built and culinary services to the area.
and dedicated to fulfill Mary’s
desire to care for her aging A cause very close to Mary’s
friends and other elderly citizens heart was the education of
in her community. young Christian ministers.
10 Amarillo Senior Link
