Lester Earl Givens

After a brief stint of Lung Cancer went the soul of Lester Earl Givens who was born April 23, 1951 in Rome MS; the youngest child of parents Freddie, Sr. and Lillie (Davis) Givens.

Lester joined New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 12 and was a 1968 graduate of Hunter High School in Drew, MS where he was Class President and Honor Student. He attended Jackson State University and double majored in Chemistry and Biology graduating 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in education.

He worked for a brief period of time as a Life Insurance sells man and as a teacher at Roundway Africa School.

Lester left Mississippi for California to make his fortune and take his place as the real MORGAN FREEMAN (SMILE).

On a stopover in Chicago to visit with his sisters, Lester met a girl named Rosie and never made it to California; “GOT MORE FORTUNE THAN I HAD WISHED FOR; A WONDERFUL SPIRITE FILLED WIFE”.

After 5 years of managing several industrial Chemical Manufacturing facilities, he switched to the food processing/production industry.

He spent 3 years at Schulze and Burch Co., a producer of Cookies, Crackers, Granola Bars and Toaster Pastries. This was followed by

Eleven years with Nabisco Brands Franklin Park-IL facility Supervising the manufacture and packing of Baby Ruth and Butter Finger Bars. 

Realizing what had been a childhood dream he advanced to: Shift and Sanitation Manager.

In 1996 he joined Tootsie Rolle Pops where he spent the last 12 years of his employment as Department Manager,” responsible for all the Tootsie Rolls in the world!”

Cherishing the love are daughter, Katrenia Givens of Atlanta, GA; sons; The Reverend Calvin Carson of Long Beach CA, Terry Seawood of San Antonio, TX, Ronaldo (Bregetta) Givens of Maugansville, MD, and Patrick Garner of Jackson, MS.

Goddaughter Kashai Cook (Marc) Greensboro. NC

Siblings; Lillie Brandon (Deceased), Rosie McInnis (South Bend, IN), 

Freddie Givens Jr (Memphis TN.), Elizabeth Smith (Chicago), Gladys Taylor (Jesse- Chicago), Elois McMillian (Chicago), Roger Givens (Ida- Grenada, MS) along with seven grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren and extended family, neighbors: Pastor James and Lady Regina Williams

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lester Earl Givens, please visit our floral store.