Cecil L. Givens

Cecil L. Givens, "Happy Pappy" was full of Joy. It radiated through his smile like a bright ray of sunshine.

He was born in Tazwell, Virginia, on August 11, 1940. He loved his people and he loved them big. He was a life long lover of the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds. He loved to cheer on his sports teams, especially if they involved his grandchildren. He may or may not have been escorted out of a few ballgames because his passion let the refs know how he was really feeling.

He spent his career working at Chrysler Corporation where he met many life long friends. These men played more pranks on each other than actual working hours on the clock. They were quite a riot from what we understand.

He liked to have fun and he liked to laugh. He was a simple man. He never cared about things or status. He cared about spending time with you and seeing you smile.

He was the greatest story teller. This was one of our favorite qualities about him. You never knew what was coming but you knew it would be good and you knew you were about to laugh. He loved Fish Fridays at Cracker Barrel, a good family meal, and playing catch with his grandchildren. He loved his church family and pastor Harold Allen.

He is leaving behind a legacy of love. A love built on time and not things. In his final days we asked him what would you want people to know if you could leave one last message? He quickly replied, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Jesus loves us all and I want everyone to know you can't out run the goodness and grace of Jesus. I tried for years and when I surrendered I finally found peace." There is great glory in your story Pap and we will forever cherish the great man you were.

When Pap busted through the gates of heaven to greet Jesus, he also greeted Mamaw Allean Givens, his wife whom he loved and missed; his mom, Dessie Neo Givens; dad, Robert Hughie Givens; brothers, Ronald and John Givens; son, Tommy Patton, as well as his grandparents and many friends who went before him. He leaves behind three children: Benita Hatfield, Ronnie Givens, and Della Brewer; grandchildren: Gunner Hatfield, Jennifer (Jason) Seaquist, and Angie (Rob) Abney; great grandchildren: Nathan (Carlee) Cravens, Alena, Meela, Saela, Primrose, and Paxson Seaquist, Wyatt, Gabe, and Ava Abney; brother, Dale (Wanda) Givens; and sister, Linda Medve.

A special thank you to Hospice of Dayton who provided amazing care to Pap and our family.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm at the Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Road, Dayton. Funeral services will follow at 1:30pm. Cecil will be laid to rest at Willow View Cemetery.

To share a memory of Cecil, or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.