Beverly L. Givens

Buck Givens left his beloved wife of 67 years and family to join his father, Daddy Sam, for bird hunting in Heaven on Saturday, October 22, 2011. He was born on July 26, 1921 in Christiansburg, VA. He was the son of Samuel Anderson Givens and Dora Carper Givens, both of them deceased; as well as his sister, Mary Currin Givens Atkinson. Buck is survived by the love of his life, Mimi; and their 4 children, Samuel Virtue and wife, Jeannie, John Charlton and wife, Tricia, Charles Gordon and wife, Mindy, and Kathryn Givens Burns and husband, Howard. Buck is called Daddy Buck to his 11 grandchildren, John A., Matthew, Ashley, Chandler, Maury, Chase, Chris, Andrew, Sam, Nate, and Ben. He is also Daddy Buck to his 10 great-grandchildren, Ryan, Alex, William, Spencer, Wesley, Graham, Boone, Madelyn, and also Ivan and Anatole, two brothers soon to be adopted from Russia. Buck is also survived by two nieces, Ann Bolling and Betsy Trout; and a grandniece, Ann Charlton. Buck was a faithful member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church for over 53 years, serving in many capacities including Senior Warden and Trustee. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1942 and later received a Masters in Engineering from Tech. He was an active and devoted member of the Tech German Club which he proudly supported until his death. During World War II, he distinguished himself as an Army officer, both state side and in the Philippines. During Peace Time and until retirement, he was founder and President of Givens Lumber Company in Salem for over twenty years. Buck called himself a Country Boy with much wit. He enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing, golfing, gardening, and much construction work. He oversaw the building of his Salem home, lake home, and the reconstruction of a 140-year-old log cabin on 150 acres in Shawsville, VA. Early goals in life were accomplished with much determination to provide for his beloved wife, Mimi, and family. With his country boy wit and charm, he was quoted, If surrounded by my children, I could fight my way out of Hell with a bucket of water! Bucks legacy lives on in each of us! God is good! A memorial celebration for Buck will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 12 Noon at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Salem. The Reverend Doctor Robert Copenhaver will be officiating and Deacon David Dixon will assist. A reception will follow in Parish Hall. The family will gather at the graveside at 11 a.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be gratefully accepted at St. Pauls Episcopal Church as well as at the Open Door Adoption Agency with attention to Deborah Frisbee at PO Box 4 and 218 East Jackson Street in Thomasville, GA 31799-0004.