Ernest "Ernie" Howard Nivens

Ernest H.(Ernie) Nivens, Christian servant, loving husband, devoted father and faithful friend, entered eternal rest on April 4, 2010. Ernie was born in Sylacauga, Alabama on January 6, 1930 to James S. Nivens and Mae Talley Nivens. In 1936, the family moved to Gainesville, GA where Ernie grew up. He was an All-State football player and earned much recognition for his athletic talents. Ernie was offered several college football scholarships and chose to play for Erskine College where he graduated in 1953. Ernie began his career teaching and coaching football in McBee, SC where he met his wife Dorothy Leviner. After their marriage in 1954, Ernie and Dot moved to Great Falls, SC where he taught and coached until 1958. In 1958, Ernie, Dot and their 6 week old daughter came to Irmo, SC. At Irmo High School, he was the head football coach and athletic director and enjoyed many winning seasons and championship teams. Ernie served as Irmo’s only police officer from 1958 until 1967. In 1967, he received his MBA from Western Carolina University. Ernie ended his coaching career in 1971 when he became assistant principal at Irmo. From 1979 until his retirement in 1989, Ernie served as Director of Transportation for Lexington School District 5. A man of faith, Ernie served as a deacon at Dutch Fork Baptist Church and Chapin Baptist Church. He was a Gideon for many years, a charter member of the Irmo Ruritan Club and was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A great storyteller, Ernie regularly shared his humor along with words of kindness and encouragement with others. He was a man of character and integrity, and most of all a strong Christian. After his retirement, he and Dot traveled extensively throughout the world. He was actively involved in mission work in Moldova, traveling there 13 times. Ernie and Dot established a ministry for the elderly at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Chisinau where they worked for the past 14 years. On the children’s cancer ward, Ernie began a special photo ministry. Many of the children had never had their photograph made and Ernie would provide one for the family. He was also instrumental in getting playground equipment to an orphanage in the northern city of Costesti. Ernie and Dot became surrogate parents to Pastor Alexander and Nadia Gonchuruk and grandparents to their 5 children. Ernie was much loved by those he met in Moldova. His loss will be mourned but his contributions will endure. Ernie leaves his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Leviner Nivens; two daughters, Pamela Nivens White (Graham) and Michelle Nivens Munson (Joe); four grandchildren, Christopher Ryan Cook, Corey Ashton Cook, Clay Joseph Munson and Taylor Michelle Munson. He is also survived by his brother James Edward Nivens and his wife Jackie. Ernie was predeceased by his sister Betty Nivens Nelson. He leaves many wonderful friends, traveling companions, Koinonia Sunday School classmates, mission friends and other loved ones throughout the world. He will be greatly missed. Visitation will be Tuesday night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Riverland Hills Baptist Church. The funeral will be held at the Riverland Hills Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday with interment at 3:00 p.m. in McBee Cemetery, McBee, SC. Memorials may be made either to Missions with Dignity, 2401 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas, TX 75201-1498 or Gideons International, Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. Brown-Pennington-Atkins is serving the family.

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Ernest "Ernie" Howard Nivens

January 6, 1930 - April 4, 2010