CAROLEE BIVINS was born in Galveston, Texas
on November 2, 1956, the fourth of six children to
Harlee and Mildred Limbrick. Carolee attended
school in Galveston before her family relocated to
Houston, Texas. She continued her education in the
Houston Independent School District, attending
Carnegie Elementary School, Woodson Junior High,
and graduating from Evan E. Worthing Senior High
School in 1975. She attended Prairie View A&M
University from 1975–1977, majoring in Education.
Carolee's Christian journey began at an early age, when
she accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of her
life at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and served
as a junior usher. She would later become a member
of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, under the
leadership of Rev. J. J. Robertson.
Carolee married her high school sweetheart, Brent
Raynor, and they were blessed with two sons, Brian
and Brenton Raynor. While her marriage to Brent
would end, they maintained a good relationship,
and she loved her sons deeply and unconditionally.
Carolee began her career as a start-up technician for a
chemical plant. Four years later, this working mother
joined another new chemical refinery company, where
she found professional success as a quality control
laboratory analyst for 19 years.
At God's direction and a series of life events, a mutual
friend reconnected Carolee to a man she had met 10
years earlier, Collice Ford, and they would marry on
October 14, 2004. Carolee and Collice relocated to
Dallas, Texas and lived there for four years. While in
Dallas, Carolee had the opportunity to attend Bible
Study Fellowship (BSF), and this experience brought
depth and meaning to her understanding of God's
Word. It also taught Carolee an awareness of selfcontrol to maintain balanced emotions. Her studies
served as a reminder of scripture that calls one to be
slow to anger and to love as Christ loves His people.
Carolee and Collice relocated back to Houston, where
she was employed by another chemical corporation
for 10 years. They joined Wheeler Avenue Baptist
Church in September 2012, under the leadership
of Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, where she was an active
member of the Courtesy Corps, Faith & Works Sunday
School class, and faithfully supported the First Touch
Ministry. Carolee made a point of inviting friends and
family to join her at worship and Bible study.
After retirement, Carolee was a collaborating author
of a book entitled, "Overcomers: Next Level Living,"
and in September 2024, she was inducted into the
Women's International Association of Juliana King
University. She also previously served as a member
of the Worthing High School Class of 1975 reunion
committee. Carolee had a great sense of humor, and
she enjoyed water aerobics and fun social events. She
loved her family, especially her sons, granddaughters
and siblings—wanting to see them all thrive. The theme
of Carolee's life was love!
Carolee is preceded in death by her parents, Harlee
and Mildred Limbrick, and her sister, Denise
Carmen. She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her
husband of 20 years, Collice Ford; her two sons, Brian
(Autumn) Raynor and Brenton Raynor; her beloved
grandchildren, Laila and Mia Raynor; her siblings,
William Carmen, She'ah Savage, Lionel Ray Carmen,
and Maudestine Limbrick; her bonus children,
Trennis (Katrina) Ford, Whitney Ford, and Yuseth
Wicker Ford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,
friends, colleagues, and brothers- and sisters-in Christ.