Graveside Funeral Services for Donell Givens, 83, of Winnsboro, will be held graveside at Coax Cemetery, in Winnsboro, at 11:00 a.m., December 12, 2024, with Pastor Kevin Bates officiating; visitation will be from 5:00 p.m., until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Dennard First National Funeral Home.

Donell was born to the union of the late Ted and Ethel Pippens Givens, their fifth child, along with his twin sister, Stella Beasley Blackmon, on November 24, 1941. He grew up hating school, literally threw his books in the ditch because he didnt care for learning, and his sister, Stella, was forced to retrieve them for fear hed get in trouble. While staring out the window from his classroom, hed daydream about going to work and earning wages.

Donell was beloved husband to Modene Shirley Givens for over sixty-three (63) years. He was an adoring Father to his son, Greg (Mary Beth). A devoted grandfather to his grandchildren, Sierra Norwood (Leo) and Paul Givens (Brittney). He spoiled his great-grandchildren, Karlie, Ellie, Scarlett, Kayleigh, and Lucas Paul, rotten. When he raised his voice to scold them, and got a frown, hed tell them matter of factly, that he didnt care what they did.

Donell is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Billy Ray Givens, Edward Givens, Jr., and Dennis Givens; and sisters, Betty Ruth Givens, Bobby Jean Givens, and Carolyn Ferrington.

Donells work ethic was unsurpassed. He dabbled in multiple careers, including auto body repair and painting, welding in shipyards, oilfield, Givens Land Clearing, Dump Trucks and Dirt Work, and pipeline inspection. His hobby and career were WORK. He enjoyed working and looked forward each day to heading out early to work, often stopping by the local coffee shop to chat with friends and seek his next project.

Donell loved to tease, pick and play. He was happy go lucky most of the time, always had a tune on his lips and would sing the same verse repeatedly. His great-grandchildren thought if you turned the radio on, George Jones should be singing "Rocking Chair".

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Modene; son, Greg, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, Eunice Givens Gibson and Stella Givens Blackmon, brother in law Hollis Shirley, sisters in law Geneva Givens and Joyce Shirley and a multitude of family and friends.

Pallbearers are Gary Beasley, Lee Beasley, Jeff Eley, Alex Givens, Clint Shirley, and Gary Shirley.

Honorary pallbearers are Ken Free and Mitch Shirley.

Online condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational.com .