Stephen Dale Bivens, 78, passed away at his home on June 22, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer.

​

He was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte Kerr Bivens; his father, John Henry Bivens; the mother of his children, Dinah Pistole Bivens; and his brothers, Billy Carol Bivens and John Franklin “Giggy” Bivens.

​

He is survived by loving family, including his wife, Penny Styles of Nashville, TN; his brother Bob Bivens (Denise) of Cleveland, TN; his sons Mike (Brandy) Bivens and Brian (Clark) Bivens, all of Nashville, TN; his stepchildren Samantha Danson of Nashville, TN, Tiffany Vessup of Redmond, WA, Kent Styles McLean of Leechburg, PA; his grandchildren John Dale Bivens, Henry Rand Bivens, Steele Allen Bivens, and Charlotte Rose Bivens all of Nashville, TN; his step grandchildren Alexander Rucker of Los Angeles, CA, Anastasia Vessup, Gianna Vessup, and Atticus Vessup all of Redmond, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

​

Born in Cleveland, TN, Steve was a proud member of the Bradley High School Class of 1964. The first member of his family to attend college, Steve graduated from Tennessee Technological University, earning both Bachelor and Masters degrees in Education. Beloved by students and fellow faculty, Steve taught at the Taft Reform School for Boys in Pikeville, Sparta Jr. High School, Cookeville Jr. High School, Cleveland Jr. High School, and Cleveland State Community College.

​

Steve had a long and illustrious career in public service, serving as President of the Cleveland-Bradley County United Way from 1987-1988 and receiving the high honor of the William Johnson United Way Service Award in 1989. Steve was also a Cleveland State Foundation Board Trustee and a member of the Cleveland-Bradley County Chamber of Commerce Board. From 1994 – 2004, Steve served on the Bradley County School Board, including as Chairman of the Board when both Walker Valley High School and Waterville Elementary School were built.

​

Steve was elected to represent District 24, Bradley County, in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1978 - 1992. During his tenure at the Legislature, Steve was elected Majority Whip and Speaker Pro Tempore and also served as Chairman of the Select Committee on Education, Chairman of the Industrial Impact Subcommittee, and Chairman of the K-12 Subcommittee. Steve was known throughout his career to represent his district with honesty, integrity, and bipartisanship.

​

Steve founded Bivens & Associates government affairs firm in 1993, which proudly lives on as a small, family-run firm, representing a varied slate of businesses and associations. Working with his two sons was a great source of pride. 

​

Steve also established the John and Charlotte Bivens Scholarship Fund at Cleveland State Community College with an emphasis on nursing students and the Dinah P. Bivens Memorial Scholarship Fund at Tennessee Technological University with an emphasis on educating tomorrow’s teachers.