Purvis Givens

GIVENS, Dr. Purvis - Age 86, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at his residence. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, February 8, 2010 at Jackson Memorial C.O.G.I.C., G-3155 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m., Bishop Herbert J. Williams officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Monday. Dr. Givens will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday. Afterwhich, Dr. Givens will be taken to Prayer Garden C.O.G.I.C., 3918 Fleming Rd. for Memorial Service from 5-8PM. Dr. Purvis Givens, affectionately known as Brown was born December 20, 1923 in Morton, Mississippi to Lynwood and Ada Givens. He was the third of five children. As a youngster, he moved with his family to Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Givens served our country from March 28, 1944 until February 9, 1946 where he was Honorably Discharged from the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy, he was awarded the American Theatre Campaign Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon. While on a visit to Texas, Dr. Givens was introduced by his Aunt Fran to a beautiful yellow rose by the name of Ruth H. Smith. They were united in Holy Matrimony on June 22, 1947 in Beaumont, Texas. After returning back to Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Givens and his wife visited California. While visiting in California, they attended a church and Dr. Givens gave God his heart in 1948. Dr. Givens and family relocated to Flint, Michigan from Jackson, Mississippi in 1953. He was employed by Buick Motor, a division of General Motors, where he worked in the Foundry and later transferred to Plant 36 working on the machine floor, where he retired in 1985 after 32 years of service and was a member of UAW Local #599. When Dr. Givens and family moved to Flint, they were members of St. John Street Church Of God In Christ located on State Street under the leadership of Elder Smiles. Later they united with New Jerusalem Church Of God In Christ under the leadership of Elder H. M. Badon until he founded his church – Prayer Garden Church Of God In Christ on Palm Sunday in 1966. The church was located at 4902 Horton Avenue. Many souls were saved and bodies healed. God’s healing power was evident by the display of crutches, canes, hearing aids and eyeglasses on the wall. The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved, giving Dr. Givens the vision to seek a larger edifice. In December 1979, Prayer Garden relocated to its present location at 3918 Fleming Road. Dr. Givens served as the District Superintendent of District Number 17. In 1985, Dr. Givens received his Doctorate of Divinity Degree from Bishop Goldsberg of Chicago, Illinois. He faithfully and diligently served as the pastor of Prayer Garden Church Of God In Christ for 20 years before retiring in 1986 in which he passed the baton to his son, Supt. Jerry L. Givens to continue the work. Although retired, Dr. Givens remained faithful to the ministry. Dr. Givens was a shining example of true holiness. He exemplified a saved, sanctified and consecrated life in Christ Jesus. Dr. Givens fought a good fight, he finished his course, he kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for Dr. Givens a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give him at that day, and not to him only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. He leaves to cherish his memory: 4 daughters: Phyllis (Derick) Jones, Beverly (Maurice) Davis, Ruth Ann Givens and Deborah Robinson all of Flint; 5 sons: Purvis Givens, Jr. of Jackson, MS, Deacon Adam (Marilyn) Givens of Flint, James (Marie) Givens – Pastor of River of Life Ministries of Carlsbad, CA, Supt. Jerry L. (Cherrylean) Givens of Grand Blanc, MI and Terry Don Givens, Sr. of Flint; special and devoted friend: Francine Williams; 44 grandchildren; 72 great-grandchildren; sister, Willie Pearl Childress; brother, Robert (Velma) Givens all of Jackson, MS; aunt, Mary Givens-Williams of Boyd, MD; uncle, R. J. Givens of Gary, IN; sister-in-law, Elise Givens of Chicago, IL; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends including the Prayer Garden Church Family and many, many more. Dr. Givens was preceded in death by his wife, Mother Ruth H. Givens; parents, Lynwood and Ada Givens; sister, Ardean Davis; brother, Nicodemus Givens; aunts, Catherine McLemore, Annie Baskin and Gladys Pratt; uncles, Malcolm and Jack Givens and wife “Honey”. The family would like to express a special thanks to Julie Corrion, Tamara Dummond Peterson, Sharon, Ann (5th floor nurses), Dwayne, Glenda (6th floor nurse and nurses aide), Debbie Hargrave, Carolyn Jones, Keith Harris (8th floor nurses and nurses aide), Becky (9th floor nurse), Janet Popp (Social Worker) all of McLaren Regional Medial Center, Dr. Jawahar Tummala, M.D., Dr. Joseph Varghese, M.D., and Dr. Rao Ven Kat, M.D., Arthur Tanyi of McLaren Home Medical Supplies and Lonna Shinn, R.N. of McLaren Visiting Nurses and Hospice.

Purvis Givens

December 20, 1923 - February 3, 2010