Lonnie Earl Givens, 84, of Kissimmee passed away on May 10, 2020. Earl was born in Graceville, Florida on December 11, 1935 the 3rd of 10 children, the son of Connie Lee and Audrey Mae (Kirkland) Givens. He was long time Osceola County resident and was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce.
Earl married Vera Ester Lee on October 29, 1953 in Kingsland, Georgia. He loved his wife Vera of 66 ½ years, very adoring and devoted to his 3 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Earl and Vera have attended Bible Baptist Church in Kissimmee since 1995. He was a passionate member of the congregation and served as deacon/head usher for more than a decade.
He was a hard worker and self-made man. Earl worked as a corporate grocery buyer for Publix and retired after 26 ½ years. He also served Kraft Foods for another 5 years before retiring in 2001. Earl and Vera successfully opened Denn John Nursery in 1985 and ran it together for 10 years.
Earl was enthusiastic about his new found free time and worked as hard at his hobbies as he had his career. He enjoyed working in his yard tending his citrus trees, restoring his classic cars, building original pieces of furniture and fishing with friends. He was always striving to help his fellow man, employees and any Osceola County residents.
Earl is preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters and a brother.
Earl is survived by his devoted wife Vera Givens, daughters: Patricia Givens O’Berry, Carol Givens Miller (Terry) and Terrie Givens Thornton( Kevin Sr.); 6 grandchildren: Ryan Hughes (Rebecca), Kevin Thornton Jr. (Vanessa), Clayton Earl Thornton (Ashley), Makenna Diesel (Matt), Stephanie Bowen (Kyle) and Ashlee Carol Massey (Ben); 13 great-grandchildren: Madilyn, Kinsley, Sawyer, Keegan, Harper, Luna, Mallory, Jude, Kolton, William, Gage Earl, Austin and Jaxson.
The Givens family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, caregivers and Tammy Cain of Sonata Hunter’s Creek Assisted Living, Pastor Williams of Bible Baptist Church of Kissimmee, Pastor McNeil of Pleasant View Baptist Church, Arlington, TX. and all those whom Earl loved and cherished so much during his time here on earth. Your Fellowship meant the world to him.
Earl was buried on May 13, 2020 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Kissimmee, with his immediate family present for his parting and Pastor Williams of Bible Baptist Church, officiated. He was attended by 6 casketbearers of which 5 were grandsons: Ryan, Kevin Jr. Clayton Earl, Matt and Ben; and a long time friend: Paul Pinkert.
A Celebration of Life Service will be hosted and announced by the family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asked that donations may be made in his memory to Pleasant View Baptist Church Mission Fund, 4400 Pleasant View Drive, Arlington, TX 76017.
The Givens family is being cared for by CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, 511 EMMETT SRTEET, KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA 34741; (407)847-3188.
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