Mary Givens Program

L IFE R EFLECTIONS M ARY D ELL G IVENS was the fourth born child to the parentage of Alama Adell McCarther and Spencer Butler, February 24, 1944, in San Antonio, Texas. Surrounded by family she transitioned from labor to reward while in hospice care at Baylor Scott & White T. Boone Pickens Cancer Hospital in Dallas, Texas, Monday afternoon June 12, 2023, following a period of declining strength and health. The span of her earthly pilgrimage was 79 years and 4 months. She often said that regardless of how long she lived that God has truly blessed her with a wonderful life and she had no regrets. Today we rejoice in the knowledge that she has passed the barrier of time as we know it, and is forever at home with the Savior, Mary faithfully served since her youth. While she loved to worship and fellowship at various churches throughout the area, there was no greater love than being back home at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas. During childhood Mary attended schools in Arizona and Texas. She earned a high school diploma from San Antonio Public Schools. Education was important to Mary, and she worked hard earning two associate degrees from El Centro Community College in Accounting and Business Management, respectively. She later attended University of North Texas and Dallas Baptist University, majoring in Accounting and Business Administration, earning a Bachelor of Science degree December 2001 while being a member of Alpha Sigma Omega honor society for distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and Christian ethics. Mary’s education led her to work in the private sector for more than 25 years. She started her career at Dresser Industries as an Accountant and went on to work for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) as an Executive Administrator for the Engineering Department. She concluded her professional career with retirement from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in September 2009 after eight years of dedicated service. Although retired, Mary was knowledgeable with yearly IRS updates that family and friends could depend on an email to keep them informed. What do we remember about Mary, affectionately known as either “Diva, Mary D, Ms. Mary, Mary Dell, Mom, Momma G, Ma Givens, Grandma, Grandma G, Aunt Mary or Cousin Mary?” She loved God, church, her family, entertaining, music, favorite shows, sports (especially teams from Texas), and most of all, her Johnnie. Mary was married to the love of her life on May 8, 1967, until God called Henry Lee Givens, Sr. (Johnnie) home May 27, 2007. They loved serving the Lord, helping others and spending time together. Mary knew no strangers as she enjoyed interacting. Family and friends were always welcome at her home. She could tell stories in person or on the telephone about things that happened yesterday or 70 years ago. (Be sure you had some time to listen!). She was patient, kind, humble, humorous, decent, hard-working, and faithful. Mary (Diva) an empowered woman with strong confidence and a powerful personality that was often expressed through her love of fashion by wearing high heels, stylish clothes, accessories, and perfume. She absolutely LOVED her heels and even wore them as she endured trips to the doctor and while receiving treatments. As time went on the family found creative ways for the Diva to still be able to wear heels, not so much on her feet but as a stylish shirt or accessory. We must not forget her love for Hallmark. Mary spent hours finding the right greeting card and took great pride in sending them with her classic penmanship for all holidays and occasions to make everyone feel special. Not to mention the delight she would have receiving cards as well. She really loved and admired her family. Mary served as one of the leaders for family reunions by encouraging family members to attend, and to date is the reigning spades champion. Mary was not shy about hitting 35 South to San Antonio often making it there in record time, just under three hours for a day or weekend trip. She enjoyed making the trips to check on family members and attend various family events – especially graduations and weddings. Mary leaves to cherish most precious memories in the minds and hearts of one daughter, Yvonne Stoglin (HC) of Lancaster, Texas; three sons, Henry Lee Givens, Jr., of Dallas, Texas, Perryn Lamar Givens (Torsheba) of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Marcus Leon Givens (Evelin), of Dallas, Texas; two bonus sons, Michael Rose (Annette) of Kaufman, Texas, and Glenn Rose of Mesquite, Texas; one sister, Marilyn Prince of San Antonio, Texas; two brothers, Aaron Prince, Jr., and Johnny Prince (Mary Ann), of San Antonio, Texas; two grandchildren, Linard B. Anderson III of Desoto, Texas, Aaron C. McFarland of Fredericksburg, Virginia; three bonus grandchildren, Michael Rose, II (Kendra) of Rockwall, Texas, Rorry Harris of Mesquite, Texas, Desarae Rose of Mesquite, Texas; a host of bonus great grandchildren; seven brothers-in-law, Harvey Givens, Jr. (Rose) of Kerens, Texas, Robert A. Young (Wanda) of Dallas, Texas, James Bennett Givens (Doris) of Houston, Texas, Quince Givens of Lancaster Texas, Prince Givens of Lancaster, Texas, Elder Ivory Joe Givens (Shirley) of Athens, Texas, Johnny James Givens of Dallas, Texas; five sister-in-law’s, Gloria Anderson of Dallas, Texas, Betty Roberson of Dallas, Texas, Hilda Brown of Athens, Texas, Harriett Beasley (Tim) of Baytown, Texas, and Olanre Butler of Houston, Texas; forever best friend Shari Harvey of San Antonio, Texas, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and lifelong friends. Remember Mary is now healed and reunited with some of her dearest loved ones who have gone on before including her, beloved husband Henry Lee Givens, Sr. father, Spencer Butler Sr.; mother, Alma Adell Butler Prince; sisters, Nancy Ann Butler Kirton, Kay Frances Prince; brothers, Melvin Butler, Spencer Butler, Sr., August Butler, Albert James Butler, Sr., and Edward Butler, Sr.; mother-in-law, Velma Mae Young; father-in-law, Harvey Givens and step-mother Caroline Givens; brother-in-law, Earl Marshall Givens and sister-in-law Carrie Lee; sister-in-laws, Artie Mae Butler, Major Nell Ross, Chrissie Mae Young, Carolyn Miller, Alice Butler; brothers-in-law, Billie Charles Givens and James Anderson; special cousin/sister, Billie Joe Shepard. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing .” ~ II Timothy 4:7-8

“Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work .”~ I Timothy 5:10