C.T. Vivian will be remembered as an American hero who dedicated his life to Civil Rights…
On the morning of July 17, 2020, civil rights icon Reverend Cordy Tindell Vivian peacefully passed away at his home. C.T. Vivian will be remembered as one of the “men of movement” and an American hero who dedicated his life to the Civil Rights Movement as an advocate for non-violent action, working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Junior and Julian Bond.”
“The family is heartbroken at the loss of our father, but proud of his lifelong work to free America from its tradition of racism, hate and violence. He loved all mankind and will be missed. Rev. Vivian was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Octavia,” said his daughter Denise Morse.
A private service will be held for family only due to COVID-19 at Providence Missionary Baptist Church at 11:00am on Thursday July 23, 2020. The service will be live-streamed as well as broadcast on WSB. The funeral processions are being handled by Darrell E. Watkins of Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home.
Rev. Vivian was awarded the highest medal of honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Obama on November 20th, 2014 for his extensive work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. where he helped lead sit-ins and other demonstrations around the country. AJC reporter Ernie Suggs described Rev. Vivian saying, “Respectability was woven into the nonviolence doctrine that Martin Luther King Jr. preached, and few practiced nonviolence as efficiently as the handsome, tall, slender and well-versed Vivian.”
Rev. Vivian’s contributions to the written word will be remembered through his amassed collection of an upwards of 6,000 volumes of African American authored and African American heritage books that uphold the African American voice in society. Rev. Vivian also founded the non-profit corporation C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum & Archives, Inc. to provide a fund for the management of the C.T. Vivian Collection now and into the future.
The curated collection features his collection of books, numerous pieces of art, collectibles, and many of the awards given to C.T. Vivian over his lifetime. This collection, along with some of his original papers, a myriad of awards, and artwork have been donated to the National Monuments Foundation. His library will be recreated within the base of The Peace Column Museum to be located in the Rodney Cook, Sr. Park in Vine City, where his legacy will be preserved forever. Rev. Vivian also continues to inspire and empower communities whilst furthering the ongoing conversation on Civil Rights through the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute Initiative.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for contributions to be made towards the preservation of the collection as well as continuing his legacy by supporting The C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum & Archives, Inc. According board member George Andrews, “As we have lost another legend of the Civil Rights Movement, we would like to honor Rev. Vivian and are inviting those whose lives he has touched or who may have heard him preach to go to the website to make a donation to help preserve and keep these books and his legacy alive.” More information can be found about Rev. Vivian, his nonprofit C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum and Archives, and how to donate by visiting www.ctovma.org.
