Mary Givens

Mary Louise Givens left her earthly body on May 15, 2009 at the age of 87 to take on a new body with her heavenly Father. She was born in Adona, AR. on February 13, 1922 the daughter of Elvis and Maude Martin. Louise was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church until her health began to deteriorate. She served as teacher for the "Willing Workers" Sunday School Class and church treasurer for over forty years. "MaMaw" was a dedicated homemaker-always unselfishly for her family and others. Her favorite past time consisted of flowers, working in her greenhouse growing flowers and plants for her huge garden. From her garden she liked to can and freeze enough vegetables for family and others for winter months. On rainy days and nights she loved to piece quilts for grandkids and study her Sunday School lesson and Bible for Sunday morning ladies class.. She loved to cook Sunday noon meals for all of her family and friends. Her favorite hobby was mowing the yard, tending to her fish pond and working with her flowers.

She is survived by her husband, best friend and love of her life of sixty-eight years, Edward Dale Givens Sr.; three sons, Edward Dale Givens Jr. and special friend, Judy Berry; Danny Givens and wife, Johnnie; Gene Givens and wife, Jeannie all of Sparkman, AR; three daughters, Betty Bass and the late Roy Bass; Geneva Quarles and her husband, Stan all of Arkadelphia, AR; Rosemary Walker and her husband, Richard of Sparkman, AR; one sister, Rose Johnson of Camden, AR; fourteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and a host of friends who affectionately called her "MaMaw".

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Monday, May 18, 2009 at New Hope Baptist Church in Sparkman with Bro. Rick Hyde, Bro. Jerry George and Bro. Jerry Holland officiating. Burial will follow at Givens Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the grandsons, Mark, Jason, Anthony, Clark, and Gregory Givens and Clint Walker. Honorary pallbearers will be Clay McMaster, Kevin Boyles, Mark Mann, Dustin Smith and Brady Harmon. Visitation will be 5-8 PM Sunday, May 17, at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Memorials may be made to New Hope Baptist Church-Sparkman, P. O. Box 723, Bearden, AR; 71720.