The Angelic Hosts came for William “Pete” Kirven at his residence in Coolidge among loving family and devoted friends on Nov. 6, 2017.
Viewing will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10 in the Moore’s Angelic Chapel. A prayer service will be held Friday from 6-7 p.m. in the chapel with the family present. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church, 500 East Carthage Street, Mexia, with Pastor Henry Chambers, Jr. officiating. Interment will be in the Sandy Creek Cemetery, Coolidge with military funeral honors.
Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe Street, Teague is serving the Kirven family. Visit mooresangelicfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and light a candle.
Kirven was the first of 13 children born to Moses Kirven and Vicy Beachum Kirven. He was born Sept. 22, 1943 in Limestone County, Coolidge.
He attended Oak Hill, Echols, Woodland and Coolidge School during his school years. He furthered his education at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science. After returning from active duty from the U.S. Army, he attended Paul Quinn College and earned a certification in social work. Kirven went on to achieve a master’s degree in social work from Baylor University, Waco.
He confessed his faith in Christ at an early age. He hoined Sandy Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Sandy Community in Coolidge. He met and married Bennie “Taylor” Kirven on Jan. 18, 1969. To this union two children were born; daughter Jeneanne Kirven of Bryan/College Station and son Michael Kirven of Coolidge.
Pete was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1969-1971 as an E-5. He was a medic. He was stationed in Tacoma, Wash. as a lab tech at Maghany General Hospital. Kirven received as honorable discharge in 1971. After his service in the military he began a career at the Mexia State School. He later became a truck driver and drove for 15 years. Throughout his career, he continued his love for ranching and doing community service.
He was a Board member of the Coolidge Independent School District for several years.
In January 2007, Kirven became known as “Commissioner Kirven.” He was the first African American elected as Commissioner of Limestone County Precinct 2. Kirven had the pleasure of serving constituents for two consecutive terms (2007-2014).
He was an active board member of the Navasota Valley Electric Coop., Prairie Hill Water Coop., president of Sandy Creek Cemetery Association for 25 years, and president of the Limestone County Nineteenth of June Organization, located at Booker T. Washington Park (Comanche Crossing) in Mexia. He was also a member of the Young Farmers of America.
Pete had a great love for leather and wood crafting, ranching and going to rodeos.
He is preceded in death by his father Moses Kirven; brother Earnest Kirven; devoted brother-in-law Shelton Heggins, Ernest Acres and Fred Daily; and mother-in-law Geneva Cornish Taylor.
He leaves to cherish his memory wife Bennie M. Kirven of 49 years; daughter Jeneanne M. Kirven; son Michael Williams Kirven and daughter-in-law Quanza; three grandchildren Ionica, Zurnique and Symii Love, all of Coolidge; his mother Vicy Kirven of Sandy Community; five sisters LaVern Kirven Jackson (Bobby), DeEvelyn Kirven Heggins, Madeline Kirven Gamble (Donald) of Dallas, Jacquelin Kirven Gee (Winford) of Mexia, and Sharon D. Kirven Henley (Rex) of Waco; six brothers Otis Kirven (Pearlie) of Dallas, Floyd Kirven and Elvin Kirven of Sandy, Felix Kirven (Ruth) of Virginia Beach, Va., Stelvin Kirven (Regina) of Sunnyvale, James Kirven (Gloria) of Mexia; sister-in-laws Eddie Taylor, Spring Taylor (LC), Vanessa Moseley all of Mt. Calm, Sandra Daily of West, Regina Acres of Waco, Sherrie Lewis of Mexia; brother-in-laws Carl Taylor (Gail) of Los Angeles, Calif., and George Taylor of Houston, and a host of aunts, nephews, nieces and friends.