Reverend C.T. Vivian Obituary in Atlanta at Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, Inc.

Obituary For Reverend C.T. Vivian

Reverend Cordy Tindell Vivian, legendary Civil Rights icon, died at age 95 on the morning of July 17, 2020 at his home in Atlanta, Georgia. C.T. was born on July 30, 1924 in Howard County, Missouri. As a young child, Vivian moved to Macomb, Illinois with his mother, where he attended Lincoln Grade School and Edison Junior High School. Vivian graduated from Macomb High School in 1942 and continued his education at Western Illinois University in Macomb. Rev. Vivian was best known as an American hero and “Man of Movement” who dedicated his life to the Civil Rights Movement. Rev. Vivian was awarded the highest medal of honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Obama on November 20, 2013 for his extensive work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. where he helped lead sit-ins and other demonstrations around the country. C.T. served as the director of the Urban Training Center for Christian Mission in Chicago in 1966 and later founded the Black Action Strategies and Information Center (BASIC), a workplace consultancy dedicated to race relations and multicultural training. Rev. Vivian created and launched the educational program Vision Program that would eventually become known as Upward Bound. This program provided for hundreds of students to attend college.

C. T. was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Octavia Geans Vivian who passed away in 2011. His son, Cordy Tindell Vivian, Jr. passed away in 2010. He is survived by six children: Jo Anna Vivian Walker, Denise Vivian Morse (Carlton), Kira E. Vivian, Mark E. Vivian, Anita Charisse Thornton (Andre), Al Vivian (DeAna Jo). His son, Al Vivian is President of BASIC, Inc. which continues his legacy of training others in racial and cultural diversity. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to further the development of Dr.Vivian's Library and Archives. Donations can be made directly through the website: CTOVMA.ORG

A private service will be held for family only due to COVID-19 at 11:00am on Thursday July 23, 2020.The service will be live-streamed as well as broadcast on WSB.

Services entrusted to Willie A. Watkins Historic West End Chapel. (404) 758-1731

Photos & Video

Condolences & Tributes

Add A Condolence

Thanks for all your many contributions. May you rest in Peace. H Gresham

Word cannot express our heartfelt gratitude for your dedication to justice and civil rights for all people. We love you. Rest In Peace. Pastor Kevin and Lettie Bedford

Our condolences to the family. Rest in Heaven Rev. Vivian!

My Condolences to the Vivian Family for the passing of your loved one. I thank Rev Vivian for his sacrifices and commitment to the cause of justice. A life well lived. Rest in Peace! ELBEEKS

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of CT VIVIAN.

To the family of Rev. C.T. Vivian, My deepest sympathy for your loss. Having benefited from the educational programs Rev. Vivian founded I will be forever grateful and never take for granted the struggles Rev. Vivian and other civil rights icons fought for. Again my heart felt sympathy and condolences to the family. D.B.

Rip. Dr. C t. Vivian. Your. Legacy. Lives

Ty. Fr. Your. Service. Dr. Ct Vivian. God. Bless u. And we never. Fr. U and. The legacy u. Left

R.I.P. MR. C.T.VIVIAN Job well done.You served your country well. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Winfred J.Smith

The Interdenominational Theological Center's students, faculty, staff, and alumni say thank you for a job well done! Because of you, the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian we have the many laws and protections that enable our students to complete their graduate degrees to become the next generation of prophetic problem solvers, pastors, chaplains, professors, and nonprofit leaders. We will never forget the time you taught Civil Rights on our campus and spoke lessons on the struggle to our students. RIP.

I'm sorry for loss of such and amazing person. justice, respect and equality was his lifes work. All I can simply say is thank you! The Jackson family ( Louisville, ky)

With Deepest Sympathy. Michael L. Foster

"May the work I've done speak for me" 2 Tim. 4:6-8 . Thank you in memory for being a humble giant and the creation of Upward Bound. I benefited greatly as well as my Sister from the program to become an Educator and a rewarding civil service career. Lois OKC, Marian - Decatur, GA and Family in OK

To the family: I was blessed to be a witness to Dr. C.T. Vivian continued legacy after the Civil Rights movement influencing the next generation within corporate America; I was a minority in a cohort among a large group of leaders at Nortel Networks in 1991 where Dr. Vivian delivered Race Awareness training to many classes over many months, if not years. His work had an authentic impact on the mindset, behaviors, and practices in the workplace and was a blessing to me personally along with my colleagues, especially non-Black participants. I am forever grateful for being "a student" and beneficiary of his workshop outcomes and for the chats we shared during class breaks during those intense sessions. A great man! Ms. Adrienne Green

R.I.P Love and prayers to the family! The Dopson Family.

Life well lived Thank you sir.

Thank you for your sacrifices for humanity. Rest in peace.

Rev C.T. . I remember the last time I saw you, U were smiling, U Rest Well Job Well done.

The Vivian family, We pray for strength, love and comfort during this time of sorrow. We pray and griefs with your family. Thanks for sharing your hero with the world and sharing all the fighting he did to make the world better.
The Moultrie, Chisolm & Tucker

So sorry for your loss

A life well lived. Thanks

Dear Family, We, submit our deepest sympathy in the passing of Rev. Vivian. We, loved to hear him speak, those phases, those words, so eloquent. God's speed.We loved you so very much. Now, you are with God, not just in His thoughts. We held you in our love, we will now hold you in our hearts forever. Mr and Mrs Will Liggins, JR Detroit, MI

"May the Peace of God that Surpasses all Understanding be your Comfort" We will continue to keep your Family in prayer. Mrs. Catherine Edwards and Family

Rest In Peace!

Rest In Power, Mr. Vivian!

Rest in Peace

My prayers are with the entire family. I am saying a special prayer for Mark ,whom we belong to the same church. Charlotte M Wilson

With heartfelt sympathy to the Vivian Family.
"It is not the length of life, but the depth of life." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

To the Vivian Family, We are saddened to learn of the loss of our beloved C.T. We met Rev. Vivian through Mrs. Anna Mae Weems, as he was preparing to conduct Urban Potential race relations workshops in Waterloo, IA. He was committed to educating and transforming the lives of many. His legacy continues to live through the people of Iowa. Take comfort in remembering the many memories you shared together. Robert and Miriam Tyson

God Bless his family. We will miss the dynamic leader of the 20th century. Rest in Peace. Shelby Hall, Social Justice Activist

Deepest Condolences to the Family. May the hearer of prayers, grant your family peace and comfort.

To the Vivian Family, my deepest condolences. I learned of him throughout my years of living, and I am grateful to what he has done for this community. He will be missed; but, will still be guiding others from Heaven in the right direction. God Bless each of you!!!

To Rev/DR.CT Vivian Family sorry for the loss of our great Civil Rights Leader. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful Father God gave to us on this earth. Eternal rest granted unto his soul and may he rest in peace with the Heavenly Father in the City called Heaven. Thank you for all you have done for the Black Community. Rest In Peace

To the Family of Rev. CT Vivian: I thank you for allowing me to be an honorary member of your family. I have fond memories of both your parents and I appreciate the love and kindness they shared with me.
The Kendrick Family extends our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies.

My sincere condolences!

My Dear Friend & Mentor leaves a shining legacy of love & life enjoyment in his wonderful surviving family! C.T. was fun, brilliant & conscientious in quantum measures. We met doing anti-klan & nazi work in the eighties and continued our friendship and his warm guidance of my more youthful life as bibliophiles. Sharing our latest finds & acquisitions and remembering those we worked with like Anne Braden, James Lawson & Arthur Kinoy was rich for me while merely being for C.T.! His inspiring stories and exemplary guidance helped me integrate the doctoral program in organizational behavior at Boston University in the nineties.
I will NEVER forget his testament of receiving the call to ministry in the elevator of a publishing company.
A wonderful many of us stand upon the shoulders of such a giant of a being!
Prayers & blessings upon the Vivian family. Rest well and join in receiving our continuing
In praise of Ancestors, Dr. Harold Massey