She was the oldest of seven of Annie Will’s children and she fell naturally into the role of mother figure for her siblings, which continued throughout her life. Early on, she was given the nickname of “Shug”, short for Sugar. She later was given the nickname of Queen B, but it was the name “Grandma Retha” and “Great Grandma” that would always put a smile on her face.
She was educated in the public schools of Phenix City. She found Christ and was baptized at an early age.
Beretha was a homemaker who loved to party, she enjoyed a good steak, an occasional cold beer and margarita, Turtle and Baby Ruth candy and would not turn down most cakes and pies, which was amazing since she always had a slim waistline.
Beretha was a phenomenal athlete, who early in life, exceled in softball and bowling; she later took up golf with her husband Martin and became a great golfer.
She was a military wife to Henry “Hank” Bivins for over 20 years and traveled the world with him and their two children, Demetrius and Deletha, living in Italy, Niagra Falls, New York, and Texas, just to name a few places.
When her husband Martin, became the manager of a Golf course in Atlanta, rather than become a golf widow, Beretha helped grow the female presence at the course by playing and beating most of the female golfers, as well as some of the guys.
Beretha’s greatest love and accomplishment were her children, Demetrius and Deletha and their families. After the passing of Martin, she moved from San Antonio to Ft Worth to be closer to Deletha and her family. She often could be coaxed to go on vacation with Demetrius and his family, but it was her grandkids and great-grandkids and Deletha’s Sunday dinners that brought her the most joy, even until the end.
When Beretha got her heavenly wings, in addition to her parents, she joined husband, Martin Rhodes, her brothers Jack, Roy, McKinley and her sister Christine. She leaves to cherish her memories, her sisters Barbara Ann and Thomasine and brother Willie “Tinko” and Cal, her son Demetrius Bivins (Cynthia), daughter, Deletha Richardson (Bernard), and grandchildren Tarra Kersh (Laderris), Devin Richardson (Alicia), Demetrius Bivins II “DK”, Emily and 5.5 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, ”play daughters” and other relatives and friends.
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