James Thomas Givens made the transition from Earth to Glory, Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg, Virginia.

James was born in Sussex County, Virginia on December 15, 1942 to the late Charlie Taft Givens and Daisy Viola Givens. James along with his siblings grew up on the farm of Hampton Givens, and later moveed to Henry Oliver Gay Farm. He received his education at the Waverly Sussex County School. As a little boy he joined Jersualem Baptist Church in Shady Grove, Virginia under the leadership of the late Reverend G.A. Ruffin.

When all of his siblings grew up and moved away from Waverly, James stayed in Waverly close to his mother Daisy. As an adult, James became a member of the First Baptist Church in Waverly, where he attended faithfully. You could receive a warm greeting as he ushered you to your seat during Sunday Services. James was a builder. He was employed with Masonite Corporation for over 35 years. James loved building things, such as, chairs and tables. James was always working on something, and he also enjoyed fishing in his leisure time.

On April 19, 1998, James married Sandra Richards, and they settled in Petersburg, Virginia. They enjoyed traveling and having ookouts at their home to entertain family and friends. after his retirement from the Masonite Corporation, James worked for a few years with Lumber Petersburg Building Supply. He later relocated to Wakefield, Virginia to reside, and became a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church.

To know James was to love him! He loved to talk, have fun, and mek folks laugh. You could meet James in the store and a simple hello could turn into a 15 minute conversation. James loved his family. two weeks before James departed this life, he had a talk with his sister Jennie, and he let her know that he was ready to confess and make Jesus Christ his personal Lord and Savior.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charlie Taft and Daisy Viola; three brothers, William Henry, Vernon and Charlie Givens; one sister, Ethel Louise Williams (eight months ago).

James leaves to cherish memories: his wife Sandra Richards Givens, his stepdaughters, Sonia Hogan, Sonya Evariste(Darrell); grandchildren: Sierra, Schuylar, Charletta, Chad, Chantz; three sisters: Josephine E. Givens, Jennie M. Drew, Dorothy V. Irby all of Washington, DC; three sisters-in-law: Alice Givens (Charlie), Betty Givens (Vernon), Mary Drayton; one brother-in-law, Andrew Drew (Jennie); one aunt, Martha G. Williams (Steve) of Virginia Beach, Virginia. A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, cousins and friends.

To his nephew Jerome Thomas and his wife Gracie, a huge thank for your faithfulness in making sure James was good and always being there for him.