Martha Givens

Martha Willanette (Stone) Givens peacefully passed in her sleep from this life into her eternal home with our Savior Lord Jesus in the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 26, 2014. Her death came one month and a day short of her 88th birthday.\r\n \r\nMartha was born at home on December 27, 1926 in Eldorado, Oklahoma to William Gordon Stone and wife, Willie Ruth (McPherson) Stone.\r\n \r\nAt age 9, the family moved to Austin, Texas where she attended Austin High School and went on to the University of Texas at Austin where she met the love of her life, John Leonard Givens, Jr. of San Antonio. John affectionately called her "Willie" for the rest of their life together.\r\n \r\nAfter graduating from U.T. with a Bachelors degree in Physical Education, "Willie" and John married. While John was working on completing his Masters Degree in Education, "Willie" taught physical education at Saint Mary's Hall in San Antonio.\r\n \r\nThe couple then relocated to LaMarque, Texas where they gave birth to their first child, John L. Givens III in 1950. A couple of years later they moved to Kenedy, Texas and had their second son, William Stone in 1952. In 1955 with the birth of their third son, Thomas Nathaniel, they moved to San Angelo, Texas to settle down and raise their family until the summer of 1970.\r\n \r\nMartha ("Willie") and John spent endless hours supporting their childrens' activities both in school as well as after. Martha was Den Mother in Cub Scouts, second mother to most of their boys' friends, neighborhood snack center, supporter of Boy Scouts (John was Scoutmaster) and was active in many church and civic related organizations such as PTA, Junior League and sports activities. She was a tireless mother and devoted wife. Her friends were countless. Summers were yearly spent in the Hill Country at Hunt, vacationing and spending time at Edgewater Lodge, Mo-Ranch, Pleasure Hill and Villa Camille, now known as La Hacienda Treatment Center.\r\n \r\nUpon moving to Clear Lake City near Houston in support of husband, John's continuing education, they enjoyed making a new set of friends and continued to raise their youngest son Tom and supporting him in numerous church, school and athletic activities.\r\n \r\nAfter receiving his Doctorate in Education, John and Martha moved to Hunt, Texas where they purchased a beautiful home on the Guadalupe River next door to the very place they had vacationed for many years. Their time on the river was the highlight of their lives, and eventually all three sons joined them in moving to the Hunt area to marry and raise their own families in close proximity to their children's grandparents. Martha and John thoroughly loved their many years of constantly getting to see and help raise their numerous grandkids in the wonderful country setting of the river and Hunt area. The grandkids affectionately named Martha "Grandmar" and she is called that to this day by those grandkids and numerous great grandkids. She was so delighted to see them. Children and animals were her greatest delight. Cooking was her greatest skill and she was particularly well known for her cheese grits, which were for many years, a staple at the Hill Country Cowboy Camp Meeting where she was a longtime member, supporter, and tireless worker.\r\n \r\nMartha loved the Lord and was beyond "eager" to share her faith with anyone and everyone. She and John both hosted and participated in many small Christian study groups and meetings. Martha's cooking abilities and sharing of faith usually made these meetings marvelous in both feeding the body as well as the soul! Martha's greatest hope for all, especially her family and friends, would be that all would come to know the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and friend and to experience the grace and mercy freely offered to all who would believe. She has finished the race. She is safe and with the Lord and those she loved who have gone before. What joy!\r\n \r\nMartha is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John; first son, John III; and daughter in law, Sharon Kelton Givens.\r\n \r\nShe is survived by son, William S. Givens of Ingram; son, Thomas N. Givens and wife, Raydell of Ingram; daughters in law, Paula and Jackie Givens of Kerrville; and niece, Mary McCree and husband, Norman of Austin.\r\n \r\nShe is also survived by grandsons, Charlie Givens and wife, Katie of Kerrville, Reagan Givens and wife, Lyndsay of Kerrville, Chris Givens and fiancee, Shanthi of Hunt, Gary Givens of Big Spring, Shane Kelton and wife, Stacy of Bronte, Shea Kelton and wife, Sarah of Kerrville; granddaughters, Gale Givens of Kerrville and Amanda Cox and husband, Trey of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and numerous great grandchildren and countless friends of both the human and canine variety, especially her devoted companion till death, Ginger, the long-haired Dachshund.\r\n \r\nVisitation will be held Monday, December 1, 2014, 5-7 PM at Grimes Funeral Chapels.\r\n \r\nPrivate family graveside services will be held at Hunt Japonica Cemetery.\r\n \r\nIn lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Humane Society of Kerrville, Peterson Hospice, Partners in Ministry and Salvation Army.\r\n \r\n\r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]