William (Pete) Kirven

The Angelic Hosts came for Mr. Pete Kirven at his residence in Coolidge, Texas, on November 6, 2017, among loving family and devoted friends. Viewing was held Friday, November 10, 2017 beginning at 1:00 PM in the Moore’s Angelic Chapel. A Prayer Service was held Friday from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the chapel with the family present. The funeral service was held Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM in the First Baptist Church, 500 East Carthage Street., Mexia, Texas, with Pastor Henry Chambers, Jr. officiating. Interment was in the Sandy Creek Cemetery, Coolidge, Texas with Military Funeral Honors. Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe Street, Teague, Texas is serving the Kirven Family. Visit our website: mooresangelicfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and light a candle. William (Pete) Kirven was the first of 13 children born to Moses Kirven and Vicy Beachum Kirven. He was born September 22, 1943 in Limestone County, Coolidge, Texas. Pete attended Oak Hill, Echols, Woodland, and Coolidge School during his school years. He furthered his education at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. After returning from active duty in the U.S. Army, he attended Paul Quinn College and earned a Certification in Social Work from Baylor University, Waco, Texas. He confessed his faith in Christ at an early age. He joined Sandy Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Sandy Community, Coolidge, Texas. He met and married Bennie “Taylor” Kirven on January 18, 1969. To this union, two children were born. Daughter, Jeneanne Kirven of Bryan College Statiojn, TX, and son, Michael William Kirven of Coolidge, TX. Pete was drafted into the U.S. Army and served form 1969-1971 as an E5. He was a medic. He was stationed in Tacoma, Washington, as a Lab Tech at Maghany General Hospital. He received an 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, Pete became known as “Commissioner Kirven.” He was the first African American elected as Commissioner of Limestone County Precinct 2. Commissioner Kirven had the pleasure of serving his constituents for two consecutive terms (2007-2014). Pete Kirven was an active board member of the Navasota Valley Electric Co-Op, Prairie Hill Water Co-Op, 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), mexia, Texas. 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; borther, Earnest Kirven; and devoted brother-in-law, Shelton Heggins; Ernest Acres and Fred Daily; and mother-in-law, Geneva Cornish-Taylor. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 49 years, Bennie M. Kirven; daughter, Jeneanne M. Kirven; son, Michael William Kirven and daughter-in-law, Quanza Brackens Kirven; and three grandchildren, Ionica, Zurnique and Symii Love, all of Coolidge, Texas; his mother, Mrs. Vicy Kirven of Sandy Community, Collidge, Texas; five sisters, LaVern Kirven Jackson (Bobby), DeEvelyn Kirven Heggins, Madeline Kirven-Gamble (Donald) of Dallas, Jacqueline Kirven Gee (Winford) of Mexia, 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, TX, James Kirven (Gloria) of Mexia, TX; sisters-in-law, Eddie Taylor, Spring Taylor (LC), Vanessa Moseley, all of Mount Calm, TX, Sandra Daily of West, Regina Acres of Waco, Sherrie Lewis of Mexia; two brothers-in-law, Carl Taylor (Gail) of Los Angeles, CA, and George Taylor of Houston, and a host of aunts, nephews, nieces and friends.