Albert Eugene Bivins, 81, and his daughter, Patricia Bivins, 55, both of Niles, died together at their home during the last week of Dec. 2017. Their deaths were unexpected and remain under investigation.

Albert was born on Aug. 14, 1936, in Chicago, and became the son of Essie and Ed Canon.

He was graduated from high school in Chicago and attended the Malcolm X College in Chicago. He was married in 1956 to Ruby Lee Frazier.

Patricia was born on Nov. 5, 1962, to Albert and Ruby. Patricia was a very special child who was nourished and blossomed under the homeschooling of her parents.

Albert served a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy during peacetime, and returned to Chicago where he established two neighborhood restaurants which featured home cooking of everything from fried food to soul food. He was also employed for many years at the Pillsbury Company in Chicago.

Sadly, Ruby died far too young in 1979.

Albert always enjoyed the outdoors, and taught Patricia that same appreciation. They found their way to Michigan, settling in Niles where they fished in the Saint Joseph River and attended Friday Night Movies at Riverfront Park, shown on the outside wall of the Ready Theater. They became an important part of a wonderful neighborhood, worshipped at the Baptist Church, and Albert continued to cook fried chicken and barbeque short ribs. Patricia enjoyed shopping in the locally owned stores, and rarely missed a daily episode of the classic television show “I Dream Of Jeannie.”

Surviving family includes the other children of Al and Ruby, Cynthia Bivins of East Dundee, Illinois who traveled to visit Al and Pat, and Timmothy Bivins, Sr. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Ruby’s other children, Berdine Frazier, Rosie Kizer, Roberta Walter, and Lillie Howell; Cynthia’s children, Shanell Hall, Kareef Leachman, Kareem Leachman, Sharnice Leachman, and Sharnae Leachman; and their children, Nakiyah, Anessa, Ta’Liyah, Ja’Niyah, Ka’Miyah, and Kaiden; and Timmothy’s children, Marie, Maria, Timmothy, Jr., Michael, Da’Shawn, Tanisha, T’ianna, Shanta, Kadisha, Capri, and Jas’Min; and a host of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Albert was preceded in death by his wife, and by a grandchild, Timothy Rayshawane.

In addition to her mother, Patricia was also preceded in death by siblings Albert Kizer, Ruby Bea, and Louis Kizer III.

Joint services for Albert and Patricia Bivins will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home with the Rev. Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Niles officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.