James Givens

James Earl Givens, 94, of 210 S. 8th Street died January 18, 2008 at Artesia General Hospital after a brief illness. A graveside service will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2008 with a memorial service to follow at First Baptist Church in Artesia, New Mexico on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. PEarl was born on July 7, 1913 in Miami, Oklahoma to Robert H. and Dora Wood Givens. He lived most of his life in and around Noel, Missouri and Amarillo, Texas. He moved to Artesia to be with his family in 1993. PHe worked most of his life as a truck driver although he really enjoyed his days in Noel, MO driving a speed boat at Shadow Lake Resort. PHe married Ella Mae Sullivan in January 22, 1938 in Clarendon, Texas. She preceded him in death in 1993. He married Vera Long in January 2002 in Artesia. PEarl was a wonderful Christian, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He always entertained his family by telling stories of his younger days riding the rails and picking cotton. He recited poetry and sang songs he learned in grade school. PHe was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a son, Bob Givens, two brother, Bill and Garrett Givens and 2 sisters, Elsie Owens and Myrtle Gibbs. PHe is survived by his son, Gary Givens and wife Lindsey of Artesia, New Mexico, daughter-in-law, Owenita Givens of Keyes, OK, seven grandchildren, Kristi Kendall and husband Jim of Amarillo, TX, Paula Givens of Amarillo, TX, Hannah Palomin and husband Joey of Artesia, NM, Abigail Allen and husband Matt of Artesia, NM, Stacia Givens of Lubbock, TX, Weston Givens and wife Ruth Ann of Arnette, OK and Juston Givens and wife Casie of Oklahoma City, OK; ten great-grandchildren, Quinn, Noah, Nathaniel and Jude Kendall of Amarillo, Kaetlie, Alyssa and Josiah Palomin of Artesia and Will, Laura and Lena Givens of Arnette. He is also survived by his brother, Charley Givens and wife Barbara of Blue Springs, MO and a sister, Lil Dodson of El Dorado Spring, MO, three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife Vera Long Givens of Artesia and four step-children. PPallbearers will be Weston Givens, Juston Givens, Jim Kendall, Joey Palomin, Matt Allen and Rick Baker.
The family will gather at Grace Church at 4111 Plains Blvd in Amarillo after the graveside services. They welcome any friends that would like to stop by.